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Hands of Hope

 
Eagle Mount Billings has been awarded a $25,000 gift, an advertising package to promote their organization and a service project completed by employees at Western Security Bank!
 
About Eagle Mount
 

The mission of Eagle Mount Billings is to create meaningful experiences for people with disabilities through adaptive recreation. Our purpose is to provide a sense of belonging and lifelong friendships inspired by a spirit of adventure.

Eagle Mount began with a dream to create an opportunity where people with disabilities could participate in recreational activities. In 1982, General Robert C. Mathis and his wife, Greta, retired from a 34-year career in the Air Force to bring this dream to reality. They moved to Bozeman and established the I Am Third Foundation to build Eagle Mount.

In 1983, with the help of the founders’ son, Harry Mathis, and Cyndi Fonda, the Eagle Mount ski program began at Bridger Bowl. The idea was to start with a modest program of 20 to 30 people, teaching them either Alpine or Nordic skiing. Very quickly, it became necessary to put people on the waiting list after reaching 94 skiers and almost 100 volunteer instructors. Bob and Greta never turned away anyone who could not pay Eagle Mount’s modest program fees. This commitment remains key to Eagle Mount’s mission. Eagle Mount expanded to Billings in 1988 with 49 skiers taking part in the first year.

Since then, hundreds of participants have enjoyed swimming, golf, day camps, bicycling, horseback riding, and other special activities. Currently, there are three Eagle Mount organizations in Montana (Bozeman, Billings, and Great Falls). Although fiscally separate, these three organizations continue to uphold the original dream.


 
How the grant from Western Security Bank will be used

Funds from Western Security Bank will make possible our Adaptive Field Trips for All program, an innovative community collaboration ensuring that children with disabilities in the K-12+ special education classrooms of Billings Public Schools have the opportunity for monthly community outings and adaptive adventures.
 
Your support will help underwrite our program-related expenses. Key costs include personnel, staff and volunteer training, transportation, adaptive equipment, participant scholarships, and administrative coordination of classes, transportation, and activities.
 
To learn more about how to volunteer or donate, click below.