Montana Hope Project · Anitra Schmid and Kelly Mantooth Continued from front page ... Felicia...

Montana Hope ProjectSponsored by the Association of Montana Highway Patrolmen

November 2001 Volume 4, Issue 2

United

September 11, 2001 is a day that willforever be etched in the minds and hearts

of Americans. It is a day where we lost ourinnocence, even in Montana.

The lines between firefighters, police officers andthose in military service were blurred. For the firsttime in recent history, Montana’s Governor required

personal security. The officers of the Montana High-way Patrol are performing that function. Many ofMontana’s highway patrol officers are also members of

the Army National Guard, the Army, Navy, Air Force andMarine Corps Reserve. Many of the Hope Project’s volun-teers are members of the military or are military veterans.

All those who work on behalf of, and receive benefit from, theMontana Hope Project pay tribute to those fellow police officers

and firefighters who perished in the aftermath of the terrorist at-tacks on our nation.

We also wish to pay tribute to those officers and volunteers whostand ready to serve our nation during this time of war.These cowardly acts of terrorism have not torn this nation apart, but

have served to unite us all. Freedom will prevail thanks to those in theservice of their communities and country. We are stronger than terrorism.

Enduring Freedom

We Stand

Recipient Aimee Parker and her familywere at Gatorland, at the request ofAimme’s brother, 7-year-old Tyler, whenthe terrorist attacks occurred on Sept. 11.It wasn’t until they had returned their rentalcar that the family learned they were

By Becky ShayThe Billings Gazette

Billings family stranded in DisneyWorld following attacksstranded in Florida. It was too late to gettheir car back, so Give Kids the Worldarranged a shuttle bus to bring them backto the facility and with support from Mon-tana Hope Project provided a room forthe family until they could fly back to Bill-ings Sept. 16. We are pleased to reportthat the family returned to Montana safe

and sound.When Lael Parker learned the Montana

Hope Project could help fulfill a wish ofher daughter, Aimee, she hesitated to seekthe organization’s help.

Aimee, then 3, had been treated for acancerous tumor in her left eye.(Continued on page 3 Aimee Parker)

Sir Walter Scott said, “The rose is fairest whenit is budding new, and Hope is brightest when it

(See page 2 From The President’s Desk)

dawns from fear.” The morning of September 11, 2001will be forever in our memories and history books.

We now watch and have hope as our servicemen and women do battle to protect our “Enduring Freedom.”

The events of September 11 haveshown us more than ever, how preciouslife is, and the importance of doing whatwe can to help those in need – includingour own Montana children dealing withlife-threatening illnesses.

By Kelly Mantooth, Project President

By Leanne Smith, Editor

Volunteer Staff:Kelly Mantooth, Lewistown, President

Perry Brown, East Helena, Vice-presidentCal Janes, Townsend, Secretary

Leanne Smith, Helena, Media RelationsLinda Douglass, Helena, Wish Travel Coordinator

Dennis Delaittre, Three Forks, Teddy BearsShawn Hazelton, Billings Area CoordinatorAlice O’Donnell, Butte Area Coordinator

Blaise Wingert, Kalispell Area CoordinatorRichard Hader and Tiana Weaver,

Missoula Area CoordinatorsHenry and Jeanne Devereaux,Great Falls Area Coordinators

Association of Montana Highway PatrolBoard of Directors Officers:

Brad Sangray, Cut Bank PresidentTom Butler, Jefferson City, Vice President

Bryan Adams, Bozeman, SecretaryKeith Edgell, Billings, Treasurer

MONTANA HOPE PROJECTP.O. Box 5927

Helena, Montana 59604Phone: (406) 538-4673 (406) 227-9287

[email protected]

Copyright © Montana Hope Project, 2001. This is the officialpublication of the Montana Hope Project and is published bi-annu-ally. The Montana Hope Project reserves the right to reject anyadvertisements. Third Class bulk postage paid at Helena MT 59604.This newsletter is provided at no cost to subscribers.

From the President’s desk.........

Anitra Schmid and Kelly Mantooth

Continued from front pageThis last summer was another busy, fun

time for the Hope Project. In June wehad a wonderful time at Izaak Walton Innin Essex. To sum it all up: fun, fun, fun!The weather was decent as we were ableto travel up to Logan Pass in Glacier Na-tional Park and then back to MinutemanAviation for helicopter rides for the kidsand their families. Thelma Bjorklund de-cided to have her own private helicopterride from Essex to Kalispell. Thanks to the“ALERT” team and QRU for your helpand quick response. Thelma is at home anddoing very well. During one of the motor-cycle rides a couple of riders and their pas-sengers were treated to the sight of a“large” black bear running between thebikes. With the help of Alan Michael’s car,MHP Colonel Obert had the opportunityto get up close and personal with an elk onthe highway…well maybe too close. Elkdo not bounce off cars as bugs do whenyou hit them! We had the joy of having amilitary honor guard for photos along withcami face painting and T-shirt painting.Thanks to Navy Commander Scott Reevesand Army National Guard Captain TinaWhittaker for joining us. Of course we allwant photos of the RCMP in their brightred suits. No one would have imaginedthat such a tall Mountie could drive aVolkswagen bug! Felicia Sullivan madesome blankets for the recipient kids andthey were put to good use on the cold eve-nings. One little girl even commented thatpurple was her favorite color, and it so hap-pened that Felicia had made a purple blan-ket and we were able to give that beautifulblanket to this recipient. Duane Irvin came

with his big semi tractor from Dick IrvinInc., - those air horns are very loud.Saturday night, Big Daddy and the BlueNotes played into the evening. It wasnice to sit and listen to the music and tolook around the area and see peoplerelaxing, some dancing to the music.Some folks even had the privilege ofdancing with Miss Montana KathyHenderson. Bob and CharlotteMarshall along with Dave and LenoraMcEwen brought their horses along forthose peaceful surrey rides in the for-

est. The Cut Bank fire department cookedup the Saturday night barbecue and the CutBank Penguins helped with serving andcleanup. Many thanks to all who donatetime, money, goods and services to makethese annual reunions a huge success!

Also in June was the Millenium carshow in Helena. This was a fundraisingevent with the proceeds going to the HopeProject. If you missed this then you misseda time of music, fun and a great time oflooking at cars from old to new. ShaneBlack, 17-year-old, from Butte, brought inover $6,800.00 dollars in pledges!

July was the annual Ride for Hope end-ing at Chico Hot Springs. This year’s eventwas one of the biggest yet and the weatherwas great, a little windy, but great! A lim-ited-edition Montana Highway Patrol bearwas auctioned off for $400. The paradeof motorcycles from Livingston to Chicowas an awesome sight.

August was the golf tournament in Hel-ena at Fox Ridge Golf Course. GovernorJudy Martz started the tournament off forus and the weather was fantastic. The2002 tournament will be held in conjunc-tion with the annual Montana HighwayPatrol Association’s tournament. TheProject’s scramble will be held on Fridayand the Association’s tourney will be heldSaturday and Sunday.

September was the Billings dinner andauction. Hundreds of items were donatedfrom around the state for this event, whichhad a near capacity crowd. Plans are inthe works for an auctioneer for next year’sdinner. September also included the firstannual Fun Run in Anaconda. Next year’srun is already in the planning process.

Many other fundraisers have gone onthroughout the state which if I tried to

mention them I know I would leave some-body out. Thanks to all of you who orga-nized and supported these events.

At the time of writing this letter, 12wishes have been granted for the year2001 with 10 others pending. There havebeen 168 total wishes granted since 1984.We already have travel plans for threefamilies for next year, 2002, which are partof the “pending” wishes.

With your continued help and donations,the Hope Project can, in these uncertaintimes, continue to make certain that Mon-tana Hope Project kids will continue tohave their wishes granted.

May the new dawn of Hope light ourlives.

Give the gift of HOPEHelp make a wish come true for a critically ill Montana child. Make a donationto the Montana Hope Project in the name of a family member, friend or recipient.

A donation to the Montana Hope Project directly benefits Montana children.HOPE - always the perfect gift

Complete and send to: The Montana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604

This gift is made in: honor of ______________________________________________________________ memory

It is being given by: ________________________________________________________________________ Your Name

Send confirmation card to: ___________________________________________________________________ Name________________________________________________________________________________________Address City State Zip

BOB ZELLAR/Billings Gazette staffAimee Parker, her Mom, Lael, and brother, Tyler, at their home north of Billings.

Aimee Parker....................from page 1

“She was doing so good,” Parker said.“I didn’t want to take advantage of Mon-tana Hope.”

Then in January doctors found a newtumor on the retina in Aimee’s eye andParker decided it was time to apply forAimee’s wish to visit Disney World. Inweeks, the Parker family had tickets toFlorida.

Lael and Carl Parker, Aimee, and herbrother Tyler made the trip to Florida thismonth, a welcome respite from trips toSalt Lake City where Aimee continues tobe treated.

Going through what appears to be adownturn in Aimee’s health, Parker saidshe is especially grateful for the MontanaHope Project’s help. The family left Sept.5 and were to return Sept. 11, but the tripwas extended when air travel wasstopped because of the terrorist attacks.

The Parkers had a great stay at GiveKids the World, a facility in Kissimmee,Fla., that provides everything from hous-ing to ice cream parlors for families likeAimee’s. The facility gave Aimee a pin shewore that gave the Parkers easy accessto all the sites, including access to the frontof the line for rides at Disney World.Parker said Aimee, who recently turned

4, most enjoyed meeting and hugging theDisney characters.

“We would not have been able to seea fourth of everything we saw and did ifwe had to wait in line like everyone else,”Parker said. “We felt a little guilty aboutit, but both kids have been through a lot.”

“I cannot believe what the MontanaHope Project has done for us,” Parker

said. “As soon as we are back on ourfeet, that will be the biggest thing I sup-port financially. I will in every other wayanyway.”

The Montana Hope Project has alsointroduced the Parkers to others in simi-lar situations.

“We’ve met a lot of families and saw a(Continued on page 11 Aimee Parker)

Flying highwith the U.S.

Navy Blue Angels team

Photos by Leanne SmithThe U.S. Navy Blue Angels precision Flying team were in Bozeman thissummer. They invited the recipients of the Montana Hope Project to at-tend a private air show. The children were treated to a thrilling displayand had the opportunity to meet the pilots and crew. Special thanks toU.S. Navy Petty Officer Chaas Kunze of Bozeman for making the arrange-ments and giving our recipients an opportunity to meet the Blue Angels.Top left. Recipient Bo Olson of Helena and Marine Corps recruiter Staff Sergeant Mark Leiding, Butte take a moment tochat on the tarmac.Top right. Bozeman area Navy recruiters are shown with recipients (left to right) Matthew and Christopher Smith, EastHelena; Bo Olson, Helena; PJ Dobbs, Butte; Dillon Kroll, Avon and James Skonberg, Helena. Also pictured is MontanaHighway Patrolman Sergeant Robert Koch of Billings.Lower left. Butte area recipient PJ Dobbs is pictured with Bozeman area members of the Montana Highway Patrol,Captain Kent Hickethier and Sergeant Dave Schenk. Bottom right. Recipients Jessie Tandy of Butte and Matthew andChristopher Smith of East Helena are pictured with a U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilot.

The Albertsons Community Partners Program continues toraise funds for the Montana Hope Project. Since the organiza-tion became a member of the progam in 2000, more than $2,500has been donated to the Hope Project.

Albertsons donates three percent of each cardholder’s sales

to the project when shoppers present theircard at the checkout register.

Call Perry Brown at (406) 227-9287or email him at [email protected] to re-quest your free card today.

Photo by Leanne SmithThe Honor Guard is a special part of each reunion. This year’s honor guardincluded (left to right) Commander Scott Reeves, Commanding Officer NavalReserve Center, Helena; Montana Highway Patrolman Danny Sons, East Gla-cier; Constable Judy Devoe, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Cardston Detach-ment; Montana Highway patrol Honor Guard Mike Reddick, Great Falls; Con-stable Corette Penney, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Raymond Detachment;Captain Tina Whitaker, Assistant Personnel Officer 95th Troop Command, Mon-tana Army National Guard, Helena and Constable Darren Anderson, Royal Ca-nadian Mounted Police, Sherwood Park Detachment.

Trips to DisneyWorld are by far the mostrequested wish granted to MontanaHope Project recipients. The projectprovides transportation and a generouscheck to be used during the trip. Givekids the World provides world-classaccomodations for the entire family atvery reduced rate.Far left. Helena K-Mart employeesraised funds this summer for Give Kidsthe World. Recipient James Skonberg(center) is shown here along with hisparents Darrell and Cindy Stipcich .Far right. Recipient Danny Mecca fromHelena (right) poses with a pal atDisneyWorld.Lower right. Billings recipient KirbyConroy and her mother Patti Conroy takea rest from all the fun at DisneyWorld infront of the Magic Castle.

Montana Highway Pa-trolman Jeremy Lee,Columbus; Butte AreaCoordinator AliceO’Donnell, Sutey Oil/Thriftway ComptrollerBrian Bossard andProject President KellyMantooth accept acheck from Sutey Oil/Thriftway for $3,000.The money was raisedby selling bear logosduring April. Readersmay purchase logosduring November.

November is logo month at Sutey Oil/Thriftway

DisneyWorld mostrequested wish

Dave “Gunner” Bartz of Three Forksis not the kind of guy somebody wouldcall a softy. He is a burly retired MarineCorps Captain who came up through theranks and he didn’t get his nickname fromplaying video games in the mall. But whenhe talks about the special children helpedby the Montana Hope Project, his lipstend to quiver.

“Those kids really get to you,” he says.“Those kids”

are the childrenwith life-t h r e a t e n i n gillnesses whosewishes come truethanks to thepeople of theHope Project.

The projectbegan in 1984when a handfulof MontanaHighway Patrolofficers reachedout to a couple ofchildren with life-t h r e a t e n i n gillnesses. They duginto their ownpockets, borroweda van and took the kids and their familieson a trip to Glacier Park. Since then, theproject has granted wishes to 168Montana children. The wishes grantedrange from puppies to family trips toDisneyWorld to computers.

The project is sponsored by theAssociation of Montana HighwayPatrolmen and has become known as “thebears that care.” There are many otherswho help with the project. Gunner is oneexample.

A few years ago, Gunner participatedin the annual Ride For Hope. The annualmotorcycle ride is the project’s largestfundraiser. Riders obtain pledges for eachmile ridden. Gunner attended the 2001Essex reunion as a reward for being oneof the event’s top pledge earners.

Since he became acquainted with the

project, it has become very important tohim. “This is my way of giving back to thecommunity,” he said. “We were blessedwith four healthy and bright kids. This is away to help those not so fortunate. This isthe only charity I participate in, so I figureI might as well do it right.”

Gunner set a fund raising goal of$1,000 for himself for last year’s ride.He raised that much in three days, sohe raised his goal to $1,500. In the end,he raised about $2,500. This year heraised $2,685.

“Once peopleknow what the money is going for,they’re really good about it,” Gunnersaid.

Montana Highway Patrolman andMontana Army National GuardCaptain Bruce Coccoli of Choteaualso attended the reunion and broughtalong his Harley.

“We work a lot with the rough side ofthings,” Coccoli said. “Working on aproject like this helps rekindle one’s faithin mankind.”

Coccoli is a former area representativefor the association and has been anintermediary between families and theproject.

When a highway patrolman or otherproject volunteer becomes aware of a

By Mack McConnellRural Montana Magazine

Making wishes come true for Montana children

The children of the Montana HopeProject at the 2001 Essex Reunion(above). Dave “Gunner” Bartz andrecipient Roni Wambecke (center).Montana Highway Patrolman Bruce

potential wish recipient family, he or shecontacts the family and then forwards arecommendation to the project president.Families may also contact the highwaypatrol officers themselves or contact maybe initiated by someone who is aware ofthe child’s situation.

“The families are always veryappreciative, sometimes to the point ofbeing overwhelmed,” said Coccoli. “Andthe children, they have endured so much.They have an almost angelic quality about

them. If we all looked atthe world through theireyes, we’d be better off.This may be perceived asgiving a gift, but when youare a part of this youreceive something youcouldn’t duplicate orpurchase, or replace anyother way.”

Jefferson County SheriffJim Quinlanhas beenhelping withthe projectsince 1993.

He said,“Any folksthat need helpshould let usknow. We’llassist them in

any way we can. We don’t golooking for them, so potentialrecipients need to comeforward. Friends can call forthem too. I recommend theymake contact with their local

highway patrolman or patrol office.For the past eight years, former

patrolman Bob Marshall and his wifeCharlotte have been bringing a special treatfor the children each year–two large drafthorses and a carriage.

“You get choked up…but it’srewarding to be able to do something forthem and their families,” Marshall said.

If you know of a child who may beeligible for a wish, please contact KellyMantooth at (406) 949-HOPE (4673) or(406) 538-4673.

Patrick “PJ” Dobb of Butte recentlyaccepted a check for $1,000 from theMontana Hope Project.

Dobb, who has a brain tumor, wasgranted his wish to go to Disneyworld bythe Project. The check was for Dobb touse as spending money or however hewished to use it.

“The goal of the project remains toprovide the Montana children we serveHope and the success we all live for ourdreams,” said Alice O’Donnell, Butte areacoordinator. “We, as adults, may neverreach them but we have had time to try.Let their prayers be their Hope. Let Hopebecome reality.”

P.J., and his parents visited Disneyworldin July.

Eight-year-old PJ Dobb (center) and his mother, Laurie, (far left) recieve acheck from Alice O’Donnell, Butte Area Coordinator and Montana HighwayPatrolman Joseph Wyant and Captain Janet Baker.

Butte boyDisneyworldbound

From the Anaconda Leader

Rhiannon Briggs, the project’s 154threcipient, is shown above with MontanaHighway Patrolman Richard Hader,Missoula Area Coordinator. Rhiannon’swish was a true community effort.Blackfoot Internet donated three yearsof internet service, Diana Netherton, thePediatric Manager of the CommunityMedical Center, referred Rhiannon tothe Project, Dan Rangitsch from BestBuy generously allowed the Project topurchase Rhiannon’s computer and soft-ware at a discount and John Magee

from Bloom’s furniture do-nated the desk and chair.

Hader is proud to be a partof the Montana Hope Projectand the positive effect it hasin communities across Mon-tana. “The Patrol was prac-ticing community policing beforethey had a word for it by placing us inthese small communities. It shows theother side of law enforcement. They seeus as a part of a family–an individualbehind the badge.”

The Helena area car clubs (HelenaPreservation Society) held their firstannual Millennium Car Show and donatedthe proceeds to the Montana HopeProject, June 23. This year’s event raisedmore than $9,300 with over 120 carsparticipating from around the state. Thecar show was held in conjunction with theMount Helena Music Festival.

The car show registration fee includeda $10 donation to the Montana HopeProject. All car show participants wereencouraged to gather pledges toward theMontana Hope Project. As an addedincentive to gather pledges, The Mount

Car enthusiasts raise funds for Hope ProjectBy Duane PreshingerMillennium Car Show Coordinator Helena Music Festival donated two

admission buttons to the festival and the$10 Montana Hope Project registrationdonation was waived for all participantsthat collected over $50 in pledges.

Special thanks to the HelenaPreservation Society and for their hardwork in organizing the car show, JimMcHugh from Downtown Helena for hisdonation of the admission buttons, ShaneBlack of Butte who raised over $6,800in pledges and all of the volunteers whohelped raise money for the Hope Project.

Please mark your calendars and planon attending next year’s car show indowntown Helena during the Mount

Helena Music Festival on June 22, 2002.Please contact Duane Preshinger at(406) 443-7069 or by email [email protected] for moreinformation.

A little girl talking about cancer and hertrip to Disney World struck a chord withShane Black last year, and the result was a$6,800 donation to the Hope Project at theMillenium Car Show in Helena this June.

Shane had raised $1,400 in pledges forthe Hope Project at last year’s car showand attended the banquet that followed.As the 9-year-old girl talked about hercancer treatment and the Hope Project’sgranting of her wish to visit Disney World,Shane was inspired. “I figured I wantedto do more to help the Hope Projectbecause it’s such a good cause,” Shanesaid. “I decided to start fund-raising a littleearlier this time, and sent about 20 lettersto doctor’s groups and credit unionsasking for pledges.”

Shane went door to door seekingpledges and held a raffle at the PicadellyTransportation Museum Car Rally inButte.His hard work and persistence paidoff big for the Hope Project when thePioneer Street Rods Car Club in Buttecontributed $5,000 to the cause, putting himway over his goal.Shane plans to keepfund-raising for the MontanaHope Project.

Seventeen-year-old Shane Black ofAnaconda raised $6,800 in pledges forthe Montana Hope Project at theMillenium Car Show in Helena. He wasrecently honored as the first inducteeinto the Millennium Show Hall of Fame.

Story and photo by Carrie Mantooth

Black inducted intocar show hall of fame

Photo by Leanne SmithMontana’s Governor Judy Martz kicked off the Hope Project Charity Golf Scrambleat Fox Ridge Golf Course in Helena. Pictured with the Governor, left to right, areChristopher Smith, Matthew Smith, Brooke Darfler, Danny Mecca, M.H. Bearand James Skonberg. The event raised more than $10,000 for the project. Nextyear’s event is slated for August 16. Watch the website at www.montanahope.orgfor more information and team registration forms.

The Blue Knights, an internationalLaw Enforcement Motorcycle Club,is now chartered and open for ridingin Montana. Several members rode

in this year’s Ride for Hope.Any law enforecement riders, retired or

active, including military, interested injoining the Blue Knights should contactthe group’s President Bruce Coccoli at(406) 466-2786 or e-mail him [email protected] Perry Brown at(406) 227-9287; [email protected].

Approximately 150 Hope Projectsupporters attended the Fourth AnnualBillings Benefit Dinner and Silent AuctionSeptember 21 at the Perfect Place southof Billings in the Briarwood Subdivision.Magoo’s of Billings catered the no-hostcocktail hour and Dean Brown of PartyPig Catering prepared a delicious mealconsisting of fresh fruit, teriyaki chicken,baron of beef, baked potato, pasta salad,and dessert.

The evening’s special guests includedKate, Troy, and Nicole Renner; Laele,Carl, and Aimee Parker and Father JohnHoulihan of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

Billings benefit raises $13,000 for HOPEThe parents of the first Hope Projectapplicant, Mr. & Mrs. DennisKornychuck, also spoke before thecaptivated crowd.

Two silent auctions were held duringthe course of the evening. Each year theevent features a vacation package. Whenthe dust settled, Scott Hanser was the topbidder for two round trip tickets to Denverthat included a two-night stay at theCourtyard by Marriot in downtownDenver and two tickets to the DenverBroncos vs. the New England PatriotsNFL football game held October 28.

The evening was a wonderful success.The event attracted the largest crowd todate who had the opportunity to bid on

the largest selection of auction items. Theevent raised approximately $13,000–enough to grant more than two wishes.

We would like to thank the followingcorporate sponsors of this years event:Action Electric, Debtor Company, BFI/Billings Recycling, Denny MenholtFrontier Chevrolet, Hanser’s Automotiveand Wrecker Company, MergenthalerTransfer, Perkins Restaurants, PrecisionPower Trains, Simkovic and Murray LawFirm, Transbas Inc., and the Law Firm ofEdmiston and Shermerhorn. Specialthanks to Colleen Mora of the PerfectPlace and Dean Brown of Party PigCatering. We look forward to seeingeveryone next year.

By Shawn HazletonBillings Area Coordinator

The first “Run/Walk for Hope” washeld Sept. 15 in Anaconda. Participantswere given the option to run or walk the2K or 4K event. Following the event, vol-unteers served lunch at the Washoe ParkPavilion. John ”Doodge” Schalk, Jr., apast recipient, was the guest of honor.

The winner of the 2K event was DanBoyle, second place went to Shawn andthird place was taken by Trevor Olson.Jim Whelan was the first to cross the fin-ish line during the 4K run, followed by

Janine Olson and Mark Blaskovich.Thanks go out to the event’s many do-

nors, committee members and an enthusi-astic group of runners and walkers. We areplanning to hold the event in August 2002.

I am pleased to announce Sutey Oil/Thriftway Stores will be selling the logosduring the month of November. If youlive in or will be traveling through the Butte,Helena and Bozeman areas, please stopinto a Sutey Oil or Thriftway location andpurchase a logo. Proceeds will benefit theHope Project.

By Alice O’DonnellButte Area Coordinator

Butte area volunteers run for Hope

Photo by Leanne Smith

Riding For Hope 2001, ChicoThe Ride for Hope 500 has grossed $54,467 to

date. This year’s ride was dedicated to the memoryof Frank Risley from Missoula. Frank lost his lifewhile riding his Valkyrie in March. While he wasinvolved in many motorcycle club activities, he wasdedicated to the Montana Hope Project and was afixture at both the Essex Reunion and Ride ForHope. His widow Carol, was a guest of honor atthis year’s event.

The annual ride is the organization’s largest sourceof funding. This year saw a close contest for topfund-raising honors. Debbie Smith of Bozemanbrought in top honors, followed by Larry Wolford ofPolson and Wes Matson of Hamilton. Next year’sevent will be held July 27 and end in Kalispell. Seewww.montanahope.org for more information.

Kleen King in Helena, Bozeman andGreat Falls has donated more than $2,000through their semi-annual duct cleaningpromotion. Project Vice-President PerryBrown appears in both the TV and radiospots. “The promotion has boosted thevisability of the project,” said Brown. “Wethank them for their continued support.”

Recipient receives private tour of nuclear submarine

Photo by JO3 Kodi Sohl, Subase Bangor, PAO

By JO3 Kodi SohlSubase Bangor, PAO.

It takes six months to get a tour on aTrident submarine, providing all the pa-perwork is taken care of. Walk-ins arerare, but Bangor Tours department re-cently made an exception for a 12 year-old boy from Montana. His name is DillonKroll and he wants to be on a submarinesomeday.

The Krolls have been making the longhaul from Montana to Seattle for manyyears for medical visits for Dillon’sEpendymona, a type of brain cancer. Thistrip was more exciting than the averagetrip to the doctor’s office because theygot to tour USS Ohio (SSBN 726).

Their visit to Subase was set up by theMontana Hope Project, a program whichwas set up to give critically ill children theopportunity to have a special dream cometrue. When he was six years old the HopeProject fulfilled Dillon’s wish by gettinghim a new computer.

The trip to Subase was arranged withextra efforts from Commander ScottReeves, Commanding Officer of the NavyReserve Center in Helena, the HopeProject and Bangor Tours.

Dillon and his family were attending aBlue Angels air show in Montanawhen they were offered thetrip to Subase.

Dillon was

immedi-ately excited. “He couldn’tsit still the whole way here,” said his motherAudrey Kroll.

The whole family really enjoyed theirexperience on Subase.

“We loved it,” said Martin Kroll,Dillon’s father. “This is a once in a life-

time deal for us.”Dillon and his sister 11-year-old Chey-

enne were mostly excited to get back toschool and share their summer experience.

“It’ll definitely be something I can tellmy friends about!” said Dillon. “I liked allthe explosive stuff. I always won-

dered what it would be like tosee them.”

While on board Ohio,Machinists Mate Senior

Readers may send a message of thanksand wishes of good will to the crew of theUSS OHIO at the following address:

Commanding Officer USS OHIO (SSBN 726) (GOLD) FPO AP 96698-2093.

Dillon and Cheyenne Kroll take a lesson in submarine driving from MMCS (SS)Tom Tucker, USS Ohio (SSBN 726 ) Gold. Dillon wants to join the Navy some day.

Chief Tom Tucker, Gold crew,showed Dillon everything from the tor-pedoes to the scrubbers, and Dillonawed at it all. “Now I know whatI’m doing for my science project thisyear,” he said. After Tucker ex-plained the boat’s buoyancy.

Dillon “revved up the gas pedal” as hesat behind the helm of the submarine.

“I’m going in the Navy.” he said. “AndI’m going to be on a submarine.”

Check outour website at:

www.montanahope.org

lot of kids that have gone through stuffand that have benefited from MontanaHope,” Parker said. “I want to cry everytime I talk about it.”

Aimee’s cancer was found in April 2000,during a regular checkup by a pediatric oph-thalmologist. Aimee wore glasses from thetime she was about 6 months old, Parkersaid, because her eyes didn’t move together.Tests in Billings and at the John A. MoranEye Center in Salt Lake City confirmedAimee had retinoblastoma, a rare cancerthat occurs most often in children youngerthan 5. The cancer grows on the retina, thethin nerve tissue that lines the back of theeye, senses light and forms images, accord-ing to the National Cancer Institute.

The Parkers had two options for theirdaughter’s treatment: They could have hereye removed, which would cure the can-cer if it were contained, or they could gothrough chemotherapy and cryotherapy,which freezes the tumor. The latter couldresult in a higher chance that Aimee wouldcontract an aggressive form of leukemialater in life, Lael Parker said.

medical team is still uncertain what thespots were. She’ll return every 4-5weeks to keep an eye on them.

“It is raised, not flat on the retina,”Parker said. “It could be cancer, debris,scar tissue ... We just don’t know andthere’s no way to tell except to watch itand pray that it doesn’t grow. Some kidshave it and it doesn’t go away, but as longas it doesn’t grow, it’s OK.”

Parker said her family is lucky in thatAimee’s cancer was caught early enoughto save her eye. Five years ago the onlytreatment was to remove the eye, she said.

Parker cautioned other parents towatch their children’s eyes. Retinoblas-toma is more common in children whoseeyes don’t move together, the conditionAimee was being treated for when thecancer was found, Parker said.

Another clue can be found in photo-graphs, Parker said. When people in pho-tos have “red eye” it is from the light reflect-ing off the retina. If people in the photo havered eye and the child doesn’t “there’s not areflection and there’s something there,”Parker said.

“We agonized over it three days and de-cided to have the eye removed,” she said.

Then an oncologist called and said thetherapies would give Aimee a 95 percentchance of retaining her vision and that thechance of leukemia was only slightlyhigher than normal.

“We did a lot of praying, we just didn’tknow what to do,” Parker said. “But thatdecided it. The doctors said that if it wastheir child, they would go with chemo.”

During the next six months, Aimeewent through six rounds of chemo-therapy. The treatment was completedin October 2000.

The family continued to go to Salt LakeCity for six-week checkups. A new tumorwas found in January and was treated withcryotherapy. A checkup in February deter-mined that the tumor was gone. Aimee wasgiven clean bills of health in March and May.Then during a July check a new spot wasfound and “zapped,” Parker said.

The family returned to Salt Lake Cityin late August and another spot was found.They returned Oct. 10 to determine what itis. Aimee had two spots treated. Her

Aimee Parker..............from page 3

The Super One Foods in Polson has asimple box on the lobby area that will leadto dreams come true for some very specialchildren.

The drop box was installed for theMontana Hope Project, a program spon-sored by the Association of MontanaHighway Patrolmen. It will collect dona-tions for programs dedicated to give chil-dren with life-threatening illness the op-portunity to have a special dream cometrue. Those dreams include camping trips,computers, satellite TV systems, stereosand even trips to DisneyWorld.

“It’s the first of its kind in all 56 coun-ties of Montana,” Larry Wolford said.

Mercer Welding constructed thedrop-box for the project, and John andSue Fairchild, painted the box and put

Ty Toth and his sister Shila learned to swim on their trip to DisneyWorld. “Itmeant a lot to Ty,” his mother said. “He talks about his Disney Trip often and stillasks if Tigger is real.” Ty was granted wish number 157.

the letters on it.Donations made out to the Mon-

tana Hope Project may be dropped

off in the drop box or mailed to: Mon-tana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927,Helena, MT 59604.

Polson’s Super One Foods sports donation boxFrom the Lake County Leader

Montana Hope ProjectP.O. Box 5927Helena, MT 59604

Non ProfitU.S. PostagePaidHelena, MTPermit #81

90 cents of every dollar raised directly benefits Montana children.

The Montana Hope Project is NOT affiliated with any national organization.

The average cost of a wish is $5,100.

The Montana Hope Project is funded entirely by your donations and localfund raising events.

The Montana Hope Project invites each recipient and their immediate family toan annual reunion held in Essex, on the edge of Glacier Park.

The Montana Hope Project has granted 168 wishes since 1984. The project granted 12wishes in 2001; 10 wishes are pending.

Hope Project Facts

PublisherPerry Brown, Helena

Editor/Layout/DesignLeanne Smith, Helena

Contributing writers andphotographers:The Anaconda LeaderPerry Brown, East HelenaShawn Hazelton, BillingsThe Lake County Leader, PolsonMac McConnell, Rural Montana MagazineCarrie Mantooth, LewistownKelly Mantooth, LewistownAlice O’Donnell, AnacondaDuane Preshinger, HelenaBecky Shay, The Billings GazetteLeanne Smith, HelenaKodi Sohl, Subase Bangor, Washington

Published bi-annually by the MontanaHope Project. The Montana Hope Project isa non-profit organization registered with theSecretary of State. It is a 501(C)(3) organi-zation and follows all Federal guidelinesto maintain its status.

Please send all photos, letters, ideas, infor-mation, updates and articles to the editor at:The Montana Hope ProjectP.O. Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604or e-mail them to [email protected]

Please visit our website at:www.montanahope.org

Address change or know someone who wouldlike to receive our free publication?

Add a subscriberChange your address

______________________________________Name______________________________________Address_____________________________________City State Zip(_______)_____________________________Telephone Number

Mail to:

The Montana Hope ProjectP.O. Box 5927Helena, MT 59604

Events 2002

June 7,8,9 Reunion, Essex

June 22, Helena Car Show

July 27, Ride For Hope

Aug. 16, Golf Scramble

Sept. 21, Billings Dinner

“There’s nothingstronger than theheart of a volunteer.” Alec Baldwin as Jimmy Doolittlein the film “Pearl Harbor”.

Special thanks to all of thedonors and volunteerswho make this projectpossible. Happy Holidays.

Montana Hope Project · Anitra Schmid and Kelly Mantooth Continued from front page ... Felicia...

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