Her wish was their command
<p>Amber Salter-Sparks, right with teddy bear, was presented with a trip to Disney World by Montana State Trooper Sean Gaston, left.</p>
SUPERIOR – Montana’s own brand of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was in Superior last week to make one little girl’s wish to visit DisneyWorld come true.
President Richard Hader, of the Montana Hope Project, along with Montana State Trooper, Sean Gaston, visited the Superior Elementary School on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to see Amber Salter-Sparks who suffers from a number of serious health problems.
According to Hader, Salter-Sparks has a hyperthyroid condition and hormone deficiencies among other health issues. Salter-Sparks, along with her mother and grandmother, arrived in Florida on Sunday, Oct. 5 and according to Hader, were already busy enjoying some time away.
“They’re having a good time,” Hader said. “They get to do whatever they want during the week. It’s totally up to them as to what they want to do. They get tickets to the theme parks. There’s no schedule or timeline for them. This the nineteenth wish we have granted so far this year.”
On the day of the presentation, the mood was jovial as Salter-Sparks, along with members of her family, were presented with an all expense paid trip to Florida to visit DisneyWorld and other area attractions. Salter-Sparks was also presented with some spending money and a stuffed teddy bear which Hader said was supposed to go with her on the trip.
According to the Montana Hope Project website, the all volunteer organization made up of Montana State Troopers is devoted to reaching out to critically ill children and their families and “to make dreams come true.” The website further states, “the conditions the children face typically require medical intervention and physically, emotionally and financially drain the children and their families.”
Hader, who is himself a Montana State Trooper, said his motivation behind wanting to be involved with the Montana Hope Project stemmed from the small town values he learned growing up in the area.
“We take care of each other,” Hader said. “We are proud of our organization and we couldn’t do it without the generous people of Montana. Whether it’s individuals or companies who donate their time or money to help out, we couldn’t do it without them.”
According to the organization’s website, the project was started in 1984 when a small group of troopers banded together to reach out to children suffering from critical illnesses. The troopers arranged a trip for the children and their families to Glacier National Park.
Since its inception, the organization has granted almost 400 wishes with the most popular being the one Salter-Sparks and her family are currently enjoying.