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1 Winter 2020Winter 2020 HopeNotes MagazineHopeNotes Magazine Meet HopeKidMeet HopeKid CallieCallie We Call This Hope HopeKids families share their Christmas hopes A Week of Hope at Flathead Lake Lodge2 Contents Volume 3, Issue 4 Winter 2020 Features 4 Hopes for the Holidays 6 A Week of Hope 9 Fundraising Event Recap 10 Program Partners 11 Virtual Programming 12 Get Involved On the Cover Callie is a 4-year-old miracle. She was diagnosed with holoprosencephaly, a congenital brain malformation where the brain fails to divide into two hemispheres, shortly after birth. Only 3% of those diagnosed are born alive and only 1% will live to six months of age. Callie is full of joy and is such a happy girl. She enjoys playing with her baby dolls and Barbies, as well as going to school and church. Callie recently began participating in a dance class for girls in wheelchairs and is loving it! Her family has attended 40 events since joining HopeKids in December 2017. Callie’s all-time favorite one being the Princess Fairytale Ball! “HopeKids has benefited our family by providing us with memories and experiences together that we would not have otherwise been able to experience. With all of Callie’s medical expenses, we don’t have extra room in the budget for these types of experiences but, thanks to HopeKids, we’ve been able to create lasting memories for our family. For a few hours, Callie can just have fun and forget about all of her therapies and doctors visits.” - Andrea, Callie’s mom Cover photo by: Paul Krudsen’s Event Photography3 4 6 We Call this HopeWe Call this Hope families share their greatest hopes for the holiday season Featured StoryFeatured Story a week of hope at Flathead Lake Lodge Fundraising EventsFundraising Events a recap of the most recent Virtual ProgrammingVirtual Programming creative events families have on their calendar 8 1044 “Landon just finished treatment last Friday, so I hope for a long healthy life for my boy.” -Breann, Arizona What is your hope for Christmas? HopeKids families share their greatest hopes for the holiday season. “I hope I can survive this first holiday season without my Jaeden.” - Kelli, Minnesota “Health, of course, but also just lasting memories as we make the most of this time together at home. I’m hopeful this holiday season will still feel special for the kiddos as we cannot gather with extended family.” - Karen, Minnesota “I hope that even if it’s just for a few days, this holiday season will provide folks the opportunity to come together as a nation and focus on the things that are really important, such as health, family, and kindness.” - Chalea, North Texas “I really hope that we are done with cancer forever. It’s hard not to think about relapse sometimes, but I hope that isn’t our journey.” - Annabel, Colorado “I hope that COVID-19 numbers go down so that families can be together.” - Whitney, Minnesota “I hope for my broken leg to be healed up and not to break any more bones. Also, to spend time with my family!” - Carson, HopeKid, North Texas “We hope for increased funding for childhood cancer research to discover better treatments and cures.” - Jennifer, Colorado “I hope that my sweet Nolan can beat CNS and continue to overcome the challenges of cerebral palsy.” - Katie, Kansas City “A healthy Christmas with no more tumors and a new puppy.” - Breanna, Middle Tennessee “Our hope is to always remember the reason for the season! No matter what our needs are, God will provide!” - Kelley, North Texas55 What is your hope for Christmas? HopeKids families share their greatest hopes for the holiday season. “Our hope is to stay healthy for the holidays. We hope people will listen and be mindful by doing their part so families, like mine, can enjoy a simple trip to the grocery store. We hope all families, like ours, get to enjoy the holidays at home as well.” - Stephanie, Arizona “Our greatest hope is that no family has to hear their child has cancer ever again. A cure for all cancers is our Christmas wish.” - Leslie, Middle Tennessee “I hope that I am a match and able to be my son’s living kidney donor.” - Jessica, Minnesota “For 2021, we just hope to be able to get back out into the world again. Although the pandemic has taught us many lessons and has given us a new appreciation for many things, we miss our friends. We miss our family. We miss being able to travel.” - Lauren, Colorado “I hope we can stay healthy and see a little family. I hope my son’s upcoming testing provides us answers.” - Kim, Arizona “With all the chaos this year, our hope is to be more patient -- to not get angry or upset and just try to enjoy our family!” - Kethy, Kansas City “My hope is to be healthy and share my Christmas with family! I don’t want to be in the hospital!” - Luke, HopeKid, North Texas “I’m hoping for clear answers and a solution to all Willow’s pain. Also, that she keeps her amazing spunk as things become more difficult in treatments.” - Lydia, Minnesota “Our Christmas hopes are to have our two car garage remodeled to a wheelchair accessible one bedroom apartment for Jr., a family vacation to Disney and a cure for epilepsy.” - Shannon, Middle Tennessee “I hope Olyvia will be able to get off her oxygen and be able to run around like typical children do without a long hose limiting her distance.” - Kimber, Colorado “My greatest hope is for kindness to make a come back.” -Jessica, Kansas City66 In early September, 13 HopeKids families across all six chapters were invited to spend a week in Montana at Flathead Lake Lodge. Truly the trip of a lifetime, families experienced life on the ranch to the fullest--riding horses, jumping off the dock into the lake and even taking a ride on a seaplane. FLATHEAD LAKE LODGE a week of hope7 Over the years, we’ve been lucky enough to host countless guests, dignitaries, groups, weddings and more, and it has been our absolute pleasure to introduce everyone who drives in our gates to Flathead Lake Lodge. And while we have loved every minute with so many guests, we’re still soaking in the magic from A Week of Hope. It’s one of those experiences that will go down in the history of the lodge and in the memory of our staff forever. When we look back on this week, the relationships that were formed are best described as magic. Families met one another and bonds were created over shared experiences and an understanding of what each other and their families are going through as they fight for their kids, cheer them on and bring them hope and joy, in spite of health battles that are faced every single day. - Chase Averill, General Manager, Flathead Lake Lodge “ ” Flathead Lake Lodge is a family-owned and operated dude ranch in northwest Montana. Now stewarded by Chase and Kate, the ranch has been home to the Averill family for three generations. The family has been hosting guests for 75 years and in celebration of that milestone, they invited HopeKids for A Week of Hope -- a trip families will hold in their hearts for the rest of their lives. HopeKids families spent a week, all expenses paid, exploring the 2,000 acres by riding horses; making arts and crafts; sailing on the lake; making s’mores; clay shooting; water balloon fights; laser tag; mountain biking; hiking; fishing; white water rafting; water sports; swimming; and games. They were also treated to the most delicious meals! Besides being the trip of a lifetime, HopeKids families were able to form new friendships with others who understand their journey. We’ll forever be grateful to the Flathead Lake Lodge team for inviting us to become part of their family. 8 Having things to look forward to that are fun and meaningful do make a difference for a child that goes through so many medical challenges. It does change the outcomes of treatment. We’ve seen quality of life improvements, we’ve seen medical improvements. Small things over time add up to big things and the fact that there is something good to look forward to has made a difference for her. We’re not promised tomorrow, any of us, but the ability to do these things as a family and have something that will stick with us is nothing but pure joy. -The Bynum Family “ ” Char lotte Bynum This week filled our hearts with joy and created lasting memories these families will always cherish. Watch this video to catch a glimpse of this unforgettable week!9 Fundraising Events in review North Texas Giving Day • September 17th • $23,100 Saunders Clay Shoot• September 25th • Colorado • $48,900 HopeWalk Colorado • September 26th • $16,553 Arizona Charity Golf Classic • September 28th • $130,000 HopeWalk Kansas City • October 3rd • $16,025 HopeWalk North Texas • October 17th • $30,303 Thank you for your participation and generosity during these challenging times. Your overwhelming support fills us with hope! HopeWalk Arizona • October 24th • $41,165Next >