logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
Make-A-Wish & Mountain Hot Tub delight girl
News
March 31, 2021
Make-A-Wish & Mountain Hot Tub delight girl

Thanks to the generosity of Mountain Hot Tub and Make-A-Wish of South Dakota & Montana, a little girl’s dream of her own spa became a reality.

5-year-old Maylee Williamson, of Butte, Montana, suffers from SAVI (STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy) an extremely rare autoimmune disease that affects the lungs, skin, joints, bones, and blood vessels. Interstitial lung disease, which leads to difficulty breathing, is another chronic ailment the little girl has to endure, which is associated with SAVI.

Soaking in spas has been among the few high points of life with the disease, which she gets to do during her many motel stays for out-of-state treatments.

“She loves when the jets are on because they make bubbles,” said Kylah Williamson, her mother.

So, when the owners of Mountain Hot Tub, a swim-spa and hot tub dealer headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, heard about her wish, they were thrilled to participate.

“What a great opportunity to make a girl’s day. It’s a great feeling,” said Kelly King, co-owner.

According to Max Blaser, General Manager of the hot tub dealership, the hot tub they donated to Maylee is state of the art. Because of her medical condition, Maylee’s particular brand includes a chemical-free hydraulic cleaning system.

Maylee’s tub features the Clear Comfort system, which was also donated. The Clear Comfort system works by sanitizing the pool or spa using a process similar to the way that air is naturally cleaned in the atmosphere. An advanced oxidation process (AOP) creates hydroxyl radicals to provide powerful, immediate and enduring sanitation. This enables users to minimize chlorine use. “The reason we went with this particular system is that Maylee has a lung condition that is specifically exacerbated by the inhalation of chlorine/ bromine fumes. The idea is to provide Maylee with as close to a chemical free experience as is possible in the industry today. The specific tub donated was a Hot Spring Spas Prodigy,” Blaser said.

Blaser said that Mountain Hot Tub has worked with Make-A-Wish Montana on numerous projects over the past four or five years, including three hot tub donations, a swim spa donation, and they also do a 'Make-A-Wish March' promotion (a portion of March proceeds goes to Make-A-Wish Montana if no one wishes for a tub during a given year).

Katie Merrill, of Make-A-Wish said that hot tubs aren’t common on children’s wish lists.

She’s thankful to King and all of the employees at Mountain Hot Tub for making it happen.

“This is the best part of my job. Maylee wanted her very own hot tub. Wishes do come true,” Merrill said.

Maylee looked a little confused when she walked into the backyard to numerous people standing around. But then she heard her sister scream “HOT TUB!” and the two girls began jumping up and down with excitement. The top came off minutes later and the girls ran inside to get their swim suits.

“Now she can relax and play with the bubbles,” said Bob Williamson, her grandfather.

Standing nearby, Maylee’s mother had tears in her eyes as she listened to her children’s laughter.

Overcome with gratitude she thanks Make-A-Wish and Mountain Hot Tub.

“This means everything,” she said. “She needed something hopeful and I am incredibly grateful.”

Maylee Williamson, 5, swims with Lakelynn Wilson, 7, and Aiden Williamson, 10, after receiving a hot tub from the generosity of Mountain Hot Tub and Make-A-Wish of South Dakota & Montana.

Photo credit Montana Standard, March 5, 2021, By Tracy Thornton

LATEST NEWS
Idaho ends state mandated pool inspections
News
Idaho ends state mandated pool inspections
New law takes health safety regulatory power away from Idaho Dept. of Health
May 14, 2025
By Marcelle Dibrell Starting July 1, 2025, public swimming pools across Idaho will no longer be subject to state-mandated health inspections, the resu...
this is a test
Service starts with water sanitation
News
Service starts with water sanitation
May 14, 2025
Maintaining proper disinfection levels is the core of pool and spa maintenance. And while a pool and spa pump is often described as the heart of the p...
this is a test
News
Drowning prevention bills failed in Florida
May 14, 2025
A pair of Florida bills that would have tightened anti-drowning measures for the state’s residential pools failed in subcommittee meetings this April....
this is a test
Olympian gets 10 replacement medals
News
Olympian gets 10 replacement medals
May 14, 2025
Olympic swimmer Gary Hall Jr. lost all of his medals in the 2025 Los Angeles fires. When the house he was renting in the Pacific Palisades went up in ...
this is a test
News
Nominate the next PHTA superstar
May 14, 2025
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance wants your help recognizing the best of the best in our industry. Do you know someone who goes above and beyond — on the j...
this is a test
News
United Chemical launches bromate study
May 14, 2025
United Chemical, a premier provider of specialty pool chemicals, is launching a new study that will examine a possible byproduct that may result from ...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 12-14, Dallas, Texas
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 28-30, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 35th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 26-28, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 4-8, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 6-8, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK