Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Kathleen E., 75, Pittsburgh, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Kathleen Elliott, 75, a resident of Pittsburgh, PA, recently had her wish for furniture granted by our Allegheny County chapter. Because she lives on a very low, fixed income, Elliott had no furniture and had been sleeping on a cot. She was thrilled to receive furniture including a bed! Thank you to the Blessing Board for helping to grant this wish.

Norman B., 100, West Hartford, CT

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Norman Bramley, a resident of West Hartford, Connecticut, was honored with a 100^th birthday celebration at the West Hartford town hall, thanks to our Central Connecticut chapter . Bramley, who turned 100 on August 17^th, is a World War II veteran who served in the Air Force. He lives on his own and was nominated by a neighbor to make sure he was celebrated on this milestone. To honor him as he turns 100, the town of West Hartford threw him a big, patriotic celebration on Friday, August 26^th at the town hall. In attendance were Eagle Scouts Sean Morley and Jack Lovejoy from West Hartford Troop 163 who presented Bramley with 100 birthday cards from the local Boy and Girl Scout troops and members of the Conrad and Hall high school bands under the direction of Avery Allen who performed. In addition, Bramley was presented with a proclamation honoring him by Mayor Shari Cantor. Ilana Brown sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” Finally, Fiona Egan of the West Hartford Quilters presented Bramley with an American Pride quilt. Special thanks to Moe Fradette, a member of American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96, for donating drinks and to Stop & Shop for donating a sheet cake for the celebration.

Richard M., 73, Hartford, CT

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Richard McGriff, 73, a resident of Hartford, CT, recently had his wish for a new full size bed and bedding granted, thanks to our Central Connecticut chapter. McGriff lives on his own in low-income senior housing and could not afford to replace his old bed on his limited income. He was thrilled to receive his new bed!

Florence Home Health Care, Omaha, Nebraska

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Older adult residents of Florence Home Health Care Center, Royale Oaks Assisted Living and House of Hope Assisted Living and Memory Care in Omaha, Nebraska, had their wish for ten robotic pets and ten tablets granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Studies have shown that using robotic, lifelike pets in dementia care contributes to a reduction in loneliness and anxiety for those seniors. In addition, communicative technologies such as tablets allow seniors to have more face time with their families which is beneficial on many levels, especially during COVID and times of isolation. Many of these residents are Veterans who have served in wartime, and these items will benefit them and improve their quality of life.

“We are not only fighting a COVID pandemic but also a pandemic of loneliness among older adults in which both robotic pets and tablets may help provide some relief or a reduction in unwanted symptoms,” states April Hauf, Director of Social Service, Florence Home Healthcare Center. “With the addition of robotic pets, we hope and expect to see a reduction in stress levels and improved moods, as well as providing both comfort and companionship to combat loneliness.”

Mary Jo D., 88, Newton, MA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Mary Jo Davis, 88, a resident of Newton, Massachusetts, had her wish for hearing aids granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Mary Jo had needed hearing aids for years, but because she is on a fixed income, she could not afford them on her own. Thanks to the generosity of True North Hearing and Alpaca Audiology, her wish was granted on August 19, 2022.

Mildred L., 77, Fairless Hills, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Mildred Lowry, a resident of Grundy Gardens in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, had her wish for a desktop video magnifier granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Lowry, 77, has macular degeneration which has greatly affected her vision and ability to read. She is very independent and would like to remain that way for as long as possible. Having a video magnifier will assist her with this as she would be able to continue to read her mail and pay her bills. Lowry was a den mother for her two sons’ Cub Scouts troops and also volunteered at their elementary school as an aide and tutor. Because she lives on a fixed income, she cannot afford the cost of this expensive magnifier on her own. Thanks to a generous donor, her wish was granted on August 10, 2022.

Audrey R., 88, Zelienople, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Audrey Rauterkus, a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, had her her wish for a Disney-themed family reunion/birthday party granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Rauterkus, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, has very dear memories of her deceased husband and family going to Disney World in years past. She describes the magic of watching how happy people are there and how it makes her happy in turn. Rauterkus, who turned 88 on August 7^th, had been very active until she took a bad fall and osteoarthritis caused her to lose the ability to ambulate. After many months of physical therapy, she is now able to walk short distances although she needs a motorized scooter to travel long distances. Her determination to continue to improve her physical ability, even while grieving the loss of her husband, impressed her physical therapy team. Although she can’t travel to Disney World, Rauterkus was treated to a Disney party complete with princesses, decorations and a Disney waffle bar for her and her family to enjoy!

Shirley W., 84, Zelienople, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Shirley Wright a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, had her wish to revisit her childhood home and elementary school granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Wright, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, grew up in Franklin Park in the house that her father built years ago. She has wonderful memories of growing up there and speaks of it often. Wright’s family works many hours and isn’t able to take her out of the nursing facility as often as she would like. She visited her childhood home and elementary school on July 27, 2022.

Raymond H., 72, Willow Grove, PA

July 21, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Raymond Haines, a resident of Garden Spring Center in Willow Grove, had his simple wish for a sewing machine and supplies granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Haines, 72, worked as a tailor since he was 16 years old. Although he is now a resident of Garden Spring, he wants to keep busy and feel useful by mending and altering other residents’ clothing for free. Thanks to generous donors, his wish was granted on July 18^th.

Raphaela (Vicki) W., 90, Philadelphia, PA

July 7, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Raphaela (Vicki) Washington, a resident of Philadelphia, had her simple wish for a medical alert device and a gift card to Trader Joe’s granted, thanks to our generous donors. Washington, 90, lives on her own in Philadelphia. When she was younger, she volunteered in her church and made dinners for those in need. Because she lives on a fixed income, she could not afford the medical alert device on her own. And, with the rising cost of groceries, it is a struggle for her to afford food on her own. Thanks to generous donors, her wish was granted on Thursday, July 6^th when Twilight Wish staff present her with the device and gift card.

Please Note: Twilight Wish Foundation is registered in Pennsylvania as a nonprofit corporation and is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations made to grant open wishes are tax deductible. Twilight Wish Foundation will make every effort to ensure that donated funds go to the wish of your choice. If this is not possible, we will apply the funds to the most urgent and similar wish open at the time. Twilight Wish Foundation has final decision-making authority over the use of all donations.

Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

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