Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Agnese F., 90, Ocala, FL

September 14, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Agnese Fraioli, a resident of Ocala, Florida, had her wish to have an Italian dinner with her family and friends at her favorite restaurant, Milano Italian Grille granted. Fraioli, 90, lives with her son, Bernardo, who is her caregiver. Her original wish was to travel to see family over the holidays, but she was recently diagnosed with a serious medical condition and can no longer travel. Instead, she was treated to dinner with friends and family at her favorite Italian restaurant. In addition, she and her son were transported in style in a stretch limo to and from the dinner. Thank you to Milano Italian Grille for generously donating the meals for this special wish. Thank you also to Walmart store #5326 for donating a sheet cake to celebrate Fraioli’s wish being granted.

Roger W., 82, Hatfield, PA

July 26, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Roger Whitaker, a resident of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, had his wish to sail on a wind-driven sailing ship one more time granted. Whitaker, 82, enlisted in the Navy at 17 years of age, which is where his love of the sea began. Since then, he has lived and worked at sea all throughout his life. He volunteered for seven years as a restoration shipwright on the light ship “Overfalls” in Lewes, Delaware and for two years as a restoration shipwright on the light ship “Barnegat.” For 12 years, Whitaker was the restoration shipwright and Chief Engineer & Training Officer on the tall ship “Gazela” in Philadelphia. In addition, Whitaker was a volunteer firefighter for 20 years with the Wissahickon Fire Company and also served as a volunteer cook for community Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. His wish to sail one more time and experience the peace of mind and body that he’s always loved on the water, was granted when he boarded the “Gazela,” the same tall ship he worked on for 12 years, to sail the Delaware River on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. This wish would not have been possible without the Gazela and its dedicated volunteers. Thank you also to King Limousine for discounting the cost of transportation for Whitaker.

Barry G., Pompano Beach, FL

July 26, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Barry Greco, a resident of Pompano Beach, Florida, had his wish to “get his smile back”recently granted. A few years ago, Greco was in a major accident which left him reliant on a wheelchair to get around. In addition, he fell and broke several of his teeth. Because of COVID and a compromised immune system, he wasn’t able to go to the dentist for several years. He is very self–conscious about his smile and wished for assistance in getting it back. Prior to his accident, Greco was a Pre-K religious education teacher for several years. Despite his medical issues, he currently volunteers for the Be My Eyes app, assisting the blind virtually. He also plays the keyboard and sings in worship services in his community. Years ago, Greco auditioned and got a role in the Starz show “Magic City” which opened up other opportunities for him to work in film. His most notable success was being featured as “The American Business Man” in the George W. Bush Presidential Museum and Library. A wish granting celebration honoring him for all he has done for others was held at his community on Friday, July 21st. Thank you to Yolanda Cintron, DMD of The International Center for Dental Excellence for her assistance in making this wish come true. Thank you also to Healing Hands of Hope Charities for donating funds toward this wish.

Leo M., 75, Rockland, MA

July 5, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Leo Marchand, a resident of South Shore Rehabilitation in Rockland, Massachusetts, had his wish to have dinner with his family at a nearby restaurant granted. Marchand, 75, is a Navy veteran and current resident of South Shore Rehabilitation. He and his wife were driven in style in a limousine to dinner at Stockholders Steakhouse where they enjoyed a lobster and steak dinner with their four children. Thank you to JB Livery for discounting the cost of the transportation and to Stockholders Steakhouse for discounting the cost of dinner.

Joyce B., 86, Gainesville, TX

July 5, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Joyce Blakely, a resident of Gainesville, Texas, had her wish to attend her family reunion recently granted. Blakely, 86, is a widow and lives on her own. She wished to attend her family reunion as she hadn’t seen many of her family members in over ten years. Blakely had always been very independent and involved in many activities, but since she no longer drives, often feels isolated.

When Blakely was younger, she was involved with Bucknard Orphanage for many years and was instrumental in coordinating holiday home visits for the children there. In addition, Blakely taught special education and children’s Sunday School for many years. Her wish was granted on Sunday, June 11, 2023 when she was picked up in a limousine, along with her children, and driven to her reunion in Lone Oak, Texas. A huge thank you to Jerry Doyle of Veteran’s Executive Limousine Service for transporting Blakely and her family to the reunion free of charge.

Uptown String Band Visits Neshaminy Manor

May 25, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

The Uptown String Band performed for the residents of Neshaminy Manor in Warrington during National Skilled Nursing Care Week. Over 100 residents and their family members enjoyed the fun performance thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation and ScanSource.

Lillian M., 95, Phoenixville, PA

May 18, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Lillian Matthews, a resident of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, had her wish to see the Reading Fightin’ Phils play granted, thanks to national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation and Patina Health. Matthews, 95, is an active member of the Phoenixville Senior Center and a regular attendee of their Monday Morning Sports Desk program. A huge baseball fan, she follows the Phillies faithfully and can tell you who is in the lineup, who is injured and who is being traded.

Last year, the Phoenixville Senior Center organized a trip to a Reading Fightin’ Phils game and all the seniors who went had a great time. This year, with inflation and increased gas prices, the cost to rent a bus was prohibitive for the senior center. The senior center reached out to Twilight Wish to see if they could assist with making Matthews’ wish to take a group from there to a game again this year come true. Twilight Wish partnered with Patina to make this wish a reality! All the seniors, but especially Matthews, had a wonderful time. Matthews even met former Phillies player Dickie Noles.

Greater Harleysville & North Penn Senior Center

May 18, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Twilight Wish collaborated with the Greater Harleysville & North Penn Senior Center to host a dinner dance for seniors at the center in Harleysville on April 29, 2023. The seniors enjoyed a delicious full course meal and dancing with a DJ. Humana Health sponsored a photo booth which the seniors also enjoyed.

Ben B., 82, Bristol, PA

February 22, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Ben Baltazar, a resident of Bristol, Pennsylvania, had his wish to have a motorized scooter granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Baltazar, 81, is a Navy veteran who served during Vietnam. He suffered a stroke in February of 2021 and has limited mobility. Baltazar is mostly homebound and has only been able to leave his home four times during the past year. Having a lightweight, foldable motorized scooter will allow him the freedom to leave his apartment more often. His children will be able to take him out to lunch and other family events, improving his quality of life. Prior to his stroke, Baltazar was an active member of his community and church. In his younger years, he volunteered in South Philadelphia distributing food to the underserved. Because he lives on a fixed income, he cannot afford the scooter on his own. Thanks to a generous donor, his wish was granted on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Patricia N., 68, Hemet, CA

February 22, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Patricia Neil, a resident of Hemet, California, had her wish to visit Disneyland granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Neil, 68, lives on her own and has been battling health issues for years. Her love for all things Disney grew out of her father meeting Walt Disney years ago. Neil has many Disney collectibles around her home and her one wish was to visit Disneyland. She has been very involved in her community, volunteering at Gilda’s Club and at the Braille Institute of America. Neil was accompanied by caregiver LaShawna Ervin on her wish. In addition, Twilight Wish founder Cass Forkin’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren met with them at Disneyland to present Neil with her wish certificate. This wish was made possible thanks to a generous donor.

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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