Read Our Newsletter - Time Talents & Treasures

February 26, 2026 | Idaho2Fly

Time, Talents & Treatures

By Steve Drabek, Board President

Idaho2Fly has served hundreds of Idaho men with cancer over the last 13 years, providing them hope, community and meaningful connection. We’ve seen firsthand the transformational impact our programs have had on these men and their families — and it drives and inspires us each and every year to work all the harder to make sure every donation of time, talent or treasure makes a difference in the lives of the men we serve.

Last year, 2025 was no exception, it was a year of amazing growth beyond our expectations. It was also a year for firsts — from new programs and new leadership positions to holding our first ever Reel Hope Benefit Dinner. In fact, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for our dedicated volunteers who stepped into new leadership roles, working long and hard to create new programs and systems to ensure sustainability in the years to come.

One of our most successful programs in 2025 was our Coffee Connection program managed by volunteers, Jim Garver in Southwest Idaho and Tom Echert in Eastern Idaho. Both Tom and Jim came to us as retreat guests and have been a part of the leadership team ever since. Coffee Connection helps our men stay connected, open up about their challenges with cancer or life in general, and provides an opportunity for them to find a consistent source of community and camaraderie throughout the year. What began with just a few men at the first meeting in 2022 has grown to sometimes over 25 men attending these coffee and breakfast gatherings. Beginning soon in 2026, board member, Bob Starck and volunteer John Rutledge will offer Coffee Connection in Idaho Falls.

To help us manage an ever growing list of activities, we created a new Guest Activities Coordinator position. Bart Shadbolt, a retreat guest in 2024, took on that position for us in 2025 and has been instrumental in helping us provide new and meaningful activities for our guests. In January 2026, Bart joined our board and accepted the position of Vice President.

David Hinck joined our leadership team in 2025 as the new Guest Services Coordinator. David also came to us as a retreat guest and has done an excellent job in handling guest services. Fishing Friends, Jerry Tominaga (past retreat guest) and Michael Chadek stepped into their new roles as Retreat Volunteer Coordinators, joining existing team members George Butts and Doug Zamzow (both past retreat guests) to help support, direct and guide our well trained volunteer Fishing Friends.

We also made strides in 2025 to implement a Midland Radio Communication System to improve safety for both guests and volunteers at Wild Horse Creek Ranch. A special thanks to Keith Murphy, who developed the safety program and trained a new team of Radio/Safety Volunteers, James Roethig, Jim Garver and Andy Diehl. All three of these men were also past guests at our retreats. The Midland radio system and new safety protocols worked flawlessly.

Staying in communication with our guests after their retreat experience is important to us. To this end, we created the new position, Guest Constant Contact Coordinator. John Cobbinah, also a past retreat guest, has taken on this new role and has recruited a team of volunteers who contact recent retreat guests once a quarter with encouragement, and a listening ear. Recognizing there are some past retreat guests who were struggling to cope with recurring cancer, we developed a new repeat retreat specifically for these men.

Finally, responding to the challenge of replacing our 2Fly Derby Fundraiser that fueled our mission in previous years, our fundraising team under the leadership of Rich Smith and Doug Zamzow, planned and successfully orchestrated our first Reel Hope Benefit Dinner. Planning a fundraising gala is no small feat — but thanks to the many tireless Idaho2Fly volunteers, generous community businesses, dedicated sponsors, and enthusiastic attendees, the evening was truly magical and fun! Every donation or gift made that night reminds us we are not alone in our mission and inspires us to work even harder to faithfully serve men in Idaho with cancer.

To everyone who helped make 2025 a year to remember, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts — we just can’t say it enough! Our guests, volunteers and supporters who gave so richly of their time, talents and treasures inspire and energize us! We entered 2026 full of heartfelt gratitude, and a steadfast determination to make sure every gift we receive makes a direct impact on the men we serve!

With Deep Appreciation,

Steve Drabek, President

P.S. Thank you for your support and partnership. We cannot provide our services without your help. Donate today, and make a difference in the lives of men with cancer and their families.

Kathy DrabekFebruary 27, 2026