About Us
The Montana Hope Project began in 1984 when a handful of Montana Highway Patrol Officers reached out to a couple of kids with life-threatening illnesses. They dug into their own pockets, borrowed a van, and took the kids and their families for a trip into Glacier Park. Thus began the Montana Hope Project. Children who are granted wishes have life-threatening illnesses that require medical treatments and interventions -- conditions that physically, emotionally, and financially drain the children and their families. To this day, the Montana Hope Project invites each recipient and their immediate family to an annual reunion held each June at the Izaak Walton Inn, Essex, Montana, on the edge of Glacier Park. There is no cost to the families to attend. The reunion is always held the first weekend of June.
The Montana Hope Project exists to give Montana's critically and chronically ill children the opportunity to have a special dream come true and to offer families an opportunity for an annual weekend reunion. Wishes granted include shopping sprees, camping trips, hot tubs, restoring a '34 Ford, Caribbean cruise, horse buggy, meeting celebrities, entertainment centers, video games, computer systems, professional athletic events, dream bedrooms and trips to DisneyWorld and Disneyland. When the recipient requests a trip, the Hope Project sends the entire family. In 2000, when James Skonberg, Helena, wished to take his family to DisneyWorld, the Hope Project sent James, his mother, father and 7 siblings on the trip. The Hope Project involves the entire family in the wish and the wish process whenever possible.
Our staff is comprised entirely of volunteers.
 | Richard Hader President |  | Cal Janes Vice-President/Secretary & Ride Coordinator |
 | Tiana Hader Missoula and Wish Coordinator |  | Alice O'Donnell Anaconda/Butte |
| [photo not available] | Derek Brown Bozeman | [photo not available] | Darlene Lee Merchandise Coordinator |
 | Tom Taylor Great Falls |  | Chuck Lee Chaplain |
| [photo not available] | Deb Butler Treasurer | [photo not available] | Audrey Collins Bear Coordinator |
| [photo not available] | Dawn White Billings Coordinator | ||
| [photo not available] | Steve Lavin Kalispell Coordinator |