Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Helen K., 67, Zelienople, PA

November 15, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Helen Kasing, a 69-year-old living at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant in Zelienople, Pennsylvania had her wish to pet and “ride” a horse again granted by our Butler County chapter. Kasing grew up with horses and owned three at one time. She missed being around horses and was thrilled to be entertained by Koda, a mini horse, and taken for a carriage ride by Bella.

Dorothy B., 92, Saxonburg, PA

November 15, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Dorothy Brooks, a resident of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, had her wish for a reclining lift chair granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Brooks, 92, had an old recliner that was over 20 years old that no longer reclined. Because she has coronary heart disease, her legs have a tendency to swell so keeping them elevated is very important. Brooks was a very active member of the Saxonburg Women’s Club and still volunteers at the local library during book sales. Having her wish granted will improve her quality of life.

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.

Judith H., 83, Zelienople, PA

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Judith Hartman, 83, a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, will have her wish to see a movie in a movie theater granted, thanks to the Butler County chapter. Hartman, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, loves watching movies, especially musicals and thrillers. As a child, she rarely went to the movies because of the cost. When she had her own children, money was also a factor so she couldn’t afford to take them. Her wish is to experience a movie with her family: sit in a comfortable chair and enjoy “movie snacks” together. Since suffering a stroke, Hartman has not been able to get out of the facility as much as she would like. The Butler County chapter arranged for Hartman, her family and 12 residents of Lutheran Senior Life to enjoy a private showing of La La Land at The Strand Theater on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

Vince W., Butler, PA

January 13, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

David “Vince” Williams, a resident of Butler, Pennsylvania, had his wish to see the Cleveland Browns play the Pittsburgh Steelers granted, thanks to the Butler County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Williams is a Navy veteran who is currently battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He is extremely involved in the Butler community, volunteering with organizations including Bundle Up Butler and Americorp and was a peer-to-peer rehab volunteer. Williams is known for lending a helping hand to those in need and is beloved by his fellow veterans and coworkers. He was surprised on December 20^th by volunteers from the Butler County chapter who presented him with two tickets and a Nick Chubb #24 jersey! His wish to see the Cleveland Browns play in person was granted thanks to the generosity of Gail Paserba, a Steelers fan who donated her tickets. Special thanks to Alliance for Nonprofit Resources for providing the transportation to and from the game.

2022

Danny F., 68, Zelienople, PA

February 25, 2020/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Danny Funkhouser, 68 a resident of Zelienople, PA, had his wish for hearing aids granted by our Butler County, PA chapter. Funkhouser was very hard of hearing, but could not afford hearing aids on his own. His wish was granted on January 15, 2020.

ValGean N., 88, Saxonburg, PA

June 7, 2018/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Our Butler County chapter recently granted ValGean’s wish for a new piano. ValGean has been playing the piano for 80 years and is a very talented pianist and organist. She was the pianist and organist for 11 years at Hannahstown Road Baptist Church in Cabot and at Concordia Lutheran Ministries for many years. Until recently, she also volunteered her talents at a local nursing facility. Unfortunately, her old piano in her home was broken and unable to be repaired. ValGean really missed being able to play her beloved hymns at home and wished for a new piano. Our Butler County provided her with a new keyboard that will allow her to continue to play and help ease her loneliness and boredom.

Henry F., 72, Butler, PA

March 7, 2017/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Our Butler County chapter recently granted Henry Fowler’s wish to visit his son in prison. Henry, 72, has not been able to see his son in over four years and wished for transportation to Erie to see him. This simple wish was granted on February 24, 2017.

Katherine R., 74, Butler, PA

December 13, 2016/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Katherine Rapp, 74, a resident of Butler, PA, recently had her wish for a computer, desk and webcam granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Katherine does not have family living nearby and her main contact with family and friends is via the internet. She wished for a desktop computer with a webcam so that she could skype with her family. Katherine worked at Butler Memorial Hospital and Butler County Courthouse for years. Her wish was granted on November 21st by our Butler County chapter.

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