They dug into their own pockets, borrowed a van and took the kids and their families for a trip into Glacier Park. The roots of the Hope Project remain bound in the desire of the Montana Highway Patrol Officers to be of greater service to the communities that they serve. It has become a vehicle for making the dreams of Montana s ill children come true. Unlike other wish-granting programs, The Montana Hope Project encourages the entire family to participate in the wish. Each recipient child and their family is invited to attend the annual Essex reunion held the first week of June at The Izaak Walton Inn, near Glacier Park.
Families are welcome each year at the reunion even after the recipient child has passed away.
All events associated with the Montana Hope Project are free of charge to recipient children and their families. Program Acceptance Criteria Montana children between the ages of two and 18 who are chronically or who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and are actively seeking treatment are eligible to participate in the Montana Hope Project. The financial capability of the child s parents or family is not considered in the wish granting process. The child must be screened by the Project physician and certified by the child s physician. The child must be capable of choosing their own wish.