The annual "Gifts with a Lift" program is a 67-year-old Christmas event for Montana State Hospital patients.
For nearly seven decades, program coordinators from the National Alliance for Mental Illness and the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services make sure every patient at the state's only mental health hospital receives a Christmas present from a generous donor.
These gifts make the holidays merry for patients who might not receive a Christmas present otherwise.
There are donation centers set up throughout the state, including one at New Directions Center in Great Falls.
If you'd like to participate, some suggested items include books, stationery, winter clothing, blankets, craft kits, and headphones. The hospital is also in need of winter coats size medium through 3X.
Cash donations or checks made out to Gifts with A Lift are also accepted, as well as wrapping paper.
You can mail your monetary donations or unwrapped gift to Gifts with A Lift, c/o Beth Eastman, PO Box 300, Montana State Hospital, Warm Springs, MT 59756 or drop off your gift at one of the participating locations listed below:
New Directions, 621 1st Ave. South Great Falls, MT 59401
Rainbow House, 925 North 18th Billings, MT 59101
Adult Services, 1315 Wyoming Missoula, MT 59801
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse, MSU Extension Office, Third Floor, 800 Main St., Anaconda, MT 59711
NAMI-MT, 1331 Helena Ave., Helena, MT 59601
Addictive and Mental Disorders Division-DPHHS, 100 N. Park Ave., Ste. 300, Helena, MT 59601
Silver House 106 West Broadway Butte, MT 59701
Center for Mental Health 900 North Jackson Helena, MT 59601
Montana State Hospital PO Box 300 Warm Springs, MT 59756
Bozeman Daily Chronicle, 2820 W. College St, Bozeman, MT 59771
All donations must be mailed or delivered by December 15th.
