Granting wishes for Montana children living with critical illnesses

CHARITY OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF MONTANA TROOPERS
P.O. Box 5927 | Helena, MT 59604 | (406) 949-HOPE
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About Us

Michael-Bozeman-picture-1The Montana Highway Patrol started the Montana Hope Project in 1984 as a way to give back to the communities they serve in a special and unique way.

The Montana Hope Project
was born.

Today, the Montana Hope Project is a separate non-profit organization funded by tax-deductible charitable contributions. The Hope Project does not receive tax support and is not associated with any national wish-granting organization.  Sponsored by the Association of Montana Troopers, the Montana Hope Project originated from the strong desire of Troopers to offer a special and unique service to the communities they served.

Granting wishes to Montana children has proven to be a rewarding endeavor and has had a positive impact on those involved with the Hope Project. Granting wishes, hosting reunions and our fund-raising events offer comfort and encouragement to families facing difficult circumstances and bring communities together in support of their neighbors. Those involved know first-hand the special meaning of the smile on a child’s face when they receive their wish.

The mission of the Montana Hope Project is to fulfill the dreams and wishes of the children of Montana who suffer from a terminal, critical, or chronic illness that are between the ages of 2 and 18 years. The conditions the children face typically require medical intervention and physically, emotionally, and financially drain the children and their families.  Eighty-three percent of all proceeds from funds raised, corporate and private donations, and memorials go directly to wishes for Montana children. The average wish granted costs approximately $8,800, and the most requested wish is a trip to Walt Disney World.

Wishes over the years have included trips to Hawaii, professional sports events, computers, shopping sprees, camping trips, hot tubs, vehicle restorations, Caribbean cruises, a horse buggy, adaptive equipment, entertainment centers, video games, and dream bedrooms. Whenever possible, the entire family is involved in the wish.  As a way to further encourage families, the Hope Project also invites each wish recipient and their family to two reunions each year. Our summer and winter reunions are held at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort the first weekend in June and the first weekend in December.

The Montana Hope Project is a success due to the combined efforts of many. Our volunteer staff is comprised of active and retired highway patrol troopers and their spouses, along with other dedicated individuals. We also enjoy the support of various organizations from across the state of Montana that give generously of their money, time, and talents.

We are sincere in our belief that the lives of children are precious and should never be cut short without their wishes coming true. We welcome you to join us in this endeavor.

 

Testimonials

There really aren’t words to express a parent’s joy in seeing their child, who lives a life of mostly anger and sadness, smiling, content, and truly at peace. Since Emily was gifted the hot tub from The Montana Hope Project this last July, we have gotten to enjoy so much more of these positive and…

There really aren’t words to express a parent’s joy in seeing their child, who lives a life of mostly anger and sadness, smiling, content, and truly at peace. Since Emily was gifted the hot tub from The Montana Hope Project this last July, we have gotten to enjoy so much more of these positive and precious moments! The team at The Montana Hope Project, with Michelle Navarro in the lead, made our experience a truly magical and easy one. From the very beginning of the project, we felt we were a part of something bigger— honestly, a family of hope!  

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Dear Montana Hope Project, I want to thank you so much for this trip. I never thought I could have such an awesome trip. It was so cool. It was so awesome to go to Clearwater Aquarium and be able to actually touch Hope, then to be able to see Winter. Give Kids the World was…

Dear Montana Hope Project, I want to thank you so much for this trip. I never thought I could have such an awesome trip. It was so cool. It was so awesome to go to Clearwater Aquarium and be able to actually touch Hope, then to be able to see Winter. Give Kids the World was so cool.  I have never seen anything like it. All the characters that came there were awesome. Dad and I rode the carousel every day and sometimes more than once. I now have a gold star that I designed up on the ceiling of the castle there. It will stay there forever. I rode my first roller coaster at Universal. I don't really like roller coasters. I met Scooby and Shaggy and they are so funny. I got to taste Butter Beer, and yes, there is NO alcohol in it. I rode trains and boats. Harry Potter at Universal is so cool. At Disney World, I got a rare photo with Marie from Aristocats. She is one of my favorites. Dad and I drove little race cars. This is the first trip I got to take with my mom and dad and we weren't going to the doctor, hospital, or dad didn't have to go back to work. What an awesome trip. Your friend, Signe Welter, Child of Hope Dear Montana Hope Project, Many, many thanks to all of you. Wow, our first trip as a family. No doctors, hospitals, or work. The only time our cell phones range was when we were trying to find each other. I didn't have to worry about how to have some of her equipment there because you were able to have it there for me. We have never been able to have a family trip, and you made our first one so awesome that we are all still talking about it. Watching Signe interact with Hope still brings tears to my eyes. There was such a feeling of peace. Being able to watch my husband act like a child every day with our child was great. No work, school, appointments, worries for a week was priceless. I want to thank you again for helping us have great memories. Sincerely your friend, Tina Welter, Signe's Mom

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Montana Hope Project, Thank you so much for granting Shay’s wish to see a Celtics game in Boston! We had so much fun. On our trip, we took in the sights of New York City for a day, then drove to Boston from there to Shay’s doctor appointments at Boston Children’s Hospital. After his appointments,…

Montana Hope Project, Thank you so much for granting Shay’s wish to see a Celtics game in Boston! We had so much fun. On our trip, we took in the sights of New York City for a day, then drove to Boston from there to Shay’s doctor appointments at Boston Children’s Hospital. After his appointments, we went to TD Garden, watched the Celtics warm up, took pictures on the basketball court, and Shay was presented with a bunch of gifts (a jersey with his last name on it, t-shirt, Celtic shoes, socks, and a hat)! We then went into a private restaurant in TD Garden, ate a delicious supper, and had a surprise visitor, Leon Powe. Leon played for the Celtics from 2006-2009, and played in the championship for the Celtics in 2008, which they won! It was such an honor meeting and visiting with him. After supper, we watched the Celtic game against the New Orleans Pelicans; the Celtics won the super exciting game! Thank you for our trip, Montana Hope Project! We would have never been able to do this without you as we are in over our heads with medical debt and all the medical travel expenses. Shay was diagnosed with a Prolactinoma in January of 2015; it was during basketball season when he started not feeling well. Shay has been a varsity basketball and varsity football player throughout his high school years. Even after we found out about his tumor, the doctors allowed him to continue sports as long as he felt up to it. Shay is so strong and no matter how sick he was, he always pushed through and played. He is my hero! A lot of people have pituitary tumors (Prolactinoma), but Shay’s is complex as there is no opening; the tumor is completely surrounding/engulfing his pituitary. This makes surgery very risky as it could result in Shay going blind, pancreatitis, and diabetes insipidus. These results would be permanent the rest of his life. Since being diagnosed up until now, the doctors are trying to shrink his tumor with medication making surgery the very last resort. The pituitary tumor has caused Shay to be short (his growth plates are closed, so he cannot take growth hormones); he is 18 years of age and 5’3,” but that did not slow him down with sports; he is an incredible athlete in both football and basketball! The tumor has also wreaked havoc with his thyroid and testosterone levels. Shay will be under medical advisement for probably the rest of his life, although, he continues to stay positive and upbeat. Thank you so much for blessing our family! We cannot even begin to express our gratitude!  

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