Students at Milton Hershey School, one of the globe’s most renowned educational institutions founded to create opportunities and support for disadvantaged youth, are seen here with Milton Hershey.
The deep compassion Milton Hershey held for children is emerging as a key pillar of the legacy driving the forthcoming feature film HERSHEY.
In the film HERSHEY, Finn Wittrock portrays Milton, and Alexandra Daddario plays Kitty Hershey, shown here kneeling during the proposal scene.
Motivated by the empathy of Milton and Catherine Hershey, a coalition of donors, filmmakers, and corporate leaders is working to give one million children a sense of hope and belonging.
HERSHEY celebrates the transformative work of a couple whose most enduring legacy is the lives they touched through kindness, generosity, and a steadfast conviction that every child deserves a chance.”— Sharon PaulSUNDANCE, UT, UNITED STATES, July 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — By Karen Hall, Publicist, Publisher, and Founder of Momentum Media
Driven by the heartfelt dedication of Milton and Catherine Hershey, an alliance of philanthropists, film producers, and business executives is uniting to offer one million underprivileged children across the United States a narrative of hope, connection, and meaning.
Certain films are made purely for amusement, while others spark inspiration within their audience. The upcoming motion picture HERSHEY achieves both, and it strives to accomplish something even more significant.
During a recent exclusive private screening hosted by Harbor Fund at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, philanthropists, corporate leaders, and filmmakers convened around a shared objective that extends far beyond the cinema. The evening was devoted to storytelling that fuels generosity and produces enduring change.
The sweeping target: to enable one million economically disadvantaged children nationwide to watch HERSHEY in theaters.
Angel Studios, an enterprise recognized for turning moviegoers into engaged contributors to stories that resonate emotionally, is helping this effort reach families across the country. Supporters are being asked to participate in writing the next chapter of this compelling tale by granting underserved youth the chance to view HERSHEY for themselves.
The campaign is already gaining momentum.
A benefactor from Utah has made a commitment in conjunction with the event to fund cinema tickets for disadvantaged children throughout the state. Organizers anticipate that philanthropists from every region will follow suit, state by state, until a million underprivileged children can witness a story centered on hope, perseverance, and a sense of place.
This initiative embodies the fundamental spirit of the legacy left by Milton and Catherine “Kitty” Hershey, proving that empathy can transform lives.
A lasting testament to the Hersheys’ dedication to care was the establishment of the Hershey Industrial School in 1909, which offered education, consistency, and opportunity to children facing hardship.
Kirk Tanner, President and CEO of The Hershey Company, reflected on what distinguishes Hershey from other major corporations. “The heart of our community is the Milton Hershey School, which upholds the values of Milton and Kitty Hershey,” Tanner stated. “We currently support over 2,200 students living on campus, where they receive an education at no expense to their families.”
One of the most touching highlights of the evening came from screenwriter, producer, and actress Sharon Paul, Co-CEO of Dandelion Media. Recalling profound discussions with graduates of the Milton Hershey School, she relayed their words that encapsulate the essence of both the institution and the film.
“The Milton Hershey School does more than offer an education. It provides a sense of belonging.”
Beyond chronicling the extraordinary story behind one of America’s most iconic confectionery brands, HERSHEY pays tribute to the inspiring life and work of a husband and wife whose most significant legacy remains the lives they improved through empathy, altruism, and an unshakable faith that every child merits opportunity.
Lindsay Smoot Hadley, co-founder and CEO of Harbor Fund, reinforced this perspective: “Harbor Fund believes that stories possess the power to ignite generosity and drive cultural and societal transformation.” Co-founder Matt Peterson, who acted as an executive producer on Hershey, played a key role in bringing philanthropists together around their common purpose.
Jordan Harmon, President and co-founder of Angel Studios, described the collaboration between The Hershey Company, Harbor Fund, Angel Studios, and the filmmakers as having “the strongest chance of creating something magical this November.”
HERSHEY, helmed by celebrated director Mark Waters (Mean Girls; Mr. Popper’s Penguins), with a screenplay by Sharon Paul and Timothy Michael Hayes, features Finn Wittrock as Milton Hershey and Alexandra Daddario as Kitty Hershey.
Produced by Dandelion Media in partnership with the Hershey Entities and in association with Aloe Entertainment and Peachtree Group, the film unites a skilled team dedicated to sharing one of America’s most uplifting true stories.
As the gathering came to a close, supporters were encouraged to join the cause by helping to supply movie tickets, so that children nationwide can absorb the film’s themes of determination, kindness, and belonging.
The genuine gauge of this project’s impact will be the number of young people who come to understand that they are important, that they are included, and that their futures hold endless promise.
Over a century after Milton and Kitty Hershey invested in children they would never personally meet, others are now being called to respond to that same challenge today,
because HERSHEY is about more than just chocolate.
It is about delivering hope.
And that remains the most wonderful gift of all.
_____________________________
Karen Hall is a keynote speaker on emotional intelligence and leadership, a publicist, publisher, broadcast journalist, and founder of Momentum Media. Hall is also the founder of the Global Women’s Collective, an international platform that elevates women’s leadership through media, publishing, and live and virtual events. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief and Executive Producer for the Los Angeles Tribune, a Grammy-nominated storytelling company, where she oversees international broadcasts. Through her work, Hall is known for helping mission-driven leaders around the world build trust and expand their impact through compelling storytelling and meaningful conversations.
Karen Hall
Momentum Media
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Hershey Official Trailer in Theaters Nov. 25
