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.
Vietnam Veterans, Coatesville, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellStudents from the Avon Grove High School National Honor Society granted the wishes of 31 Vietnam veterans at the Coatesville VA on May 23, 2013. These students fundraised throughout the school year by selling cake pops and holding a car wash, raising $1,000. The money raised was used to fufill simple needs wishes for these veterans. From ties, to slippers, to a cowboy hat, all the gifts were very much appreciated by the veterans. Great job by these amazing students!
Harry S., 81, Marion, SC
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellHarry Schaeffer, 81, recently had his wish for a football signed by Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien granted. Schaeffer is a Korean War veteran and worked at the local paper mill until he was forced to retire due to disability from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides being severely disabled from advanced RA, he is a prostate cancer survivor and has had open heart surgery. The local Arthritis Foundation named Schaeffer patient of the year in 2010 because of his determination to fight his RA. A lifelong Penn State football fan, having his wish granted “absolutely created a happy memory for him,” according to his daughter. Special thanks to a former Penn State player and the Penn State football program for making this wish come true.
Ari Y., 69, Seattle, WA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAri Yoder, 69, recently had her wish for a service dog granted. Several years ago, Yoder’s beloved service dog, Sammy, became ill and had to be euthanized at the age of nine. In addition to being her service dog, Sammy was also trained as a therapy dog and they held regular pet therapy sessions at a local drug treatment facility. His death left her heartbroken and she could not replace him for several years. Yoder recently realized that she misses the constant companionship of a dog, as well as the volunteer work that the two of them did together. But, because she lives on a fixed income, she could not afford the start-up costs associated with adopting a dog.
She submitted an application to Twilight Wish Foundation, asking for assistance with the costs associated with adopting a dog such as adoption fees, immunizations, and supplies. Twilight Wish accepted her wish application and worked hard to raise the funds to cover Yoder’s adoption expenses. Many groups and individuals were also touched by her story on Facebook and the Twilight Wish website and donated generously. Happily, Yoder found Danny, a six-year-old Golden Labrador, at a local shelter, and adopted him on Thursday, March 22, 2013.
Yoder has been active in community service since she was in high school, including volunteering with the Peace Corps in Micronesia and serving as a disaster specialist for the American Red Cross for several years. She currently volunteers for the West Seattle Senior Center as a thrift shop cashier and in their computer lab, teaching computer skills to other seniors. Yoder plans to train Danny to be a therapy dog and continue giving back to the community.
“This lovely dog has brought unconditional love and companionship into my life,” said Yoder. “In just over two weeks, he has changed my life. Thank you, thank you, Twilight Wish!”
Ann I., 96, Dover, NH
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAnn Isacoff, a resident of Langdon Place of Dover, NH had her wish to see a Broadway musical granted, thanks to Twilight Wish and the operator of her nursing center, SunBridge Healthcare, now part of the Genesis family. Ann, 96, is well-known in her nursing facility for her lifelong love of the theatre, even organizing variety shows starring other residents there. As a child, Ann always wanted to perform on stage, but life pointed her in another direction. However, she never lost her love of the theatre. Her wish was granted on Sunday, March 3, 2013 when she and her daughter were treated to special seats at a matinee performance of “Jersey Boys” in Boston. Special thanks to Parentgiving who donated the tickets. Thanks also to Feliciano Limousine who discounted the cost of the transportation for the wish. Photo: Ann waves as she leaves for Boston.
Judith S., 74, Bensalem, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJudith Szabo, 74, recently had her wish for card-making supplies granted. Szabo enjoys making homemade cards for every occasion, often giving them to other residents in her government-subsidized senior housing facility for their own use. She also decorates her building’s bulletin board with a monthly birthday wish for other residents celebrating their birthdays and puts out candy treats for the other residents in her building. Doing these things gives Szabo great pleasure, but because she lives on a fixed income, she often can’t afford the cost of replenishing her card-making supplies.
Szabo’s case manager, Bernadette O’Connor, submitted the wish for craft supplies on her behalf. Szabo has lived a life full of service to others, raising four children and working as an LPN until she was injured in a car accident and unable to continue working. Despite being wheelchair-bound, she still is able to help out one of her daughters who was recently paralyzed following spinal surgery, cooking for her and providing emotional support. She also helps out in another daughter’s bakery during the holiday season, answering phones and taking orders. Her wish was granted on February 27th, 2013 when several representatives from Twilight Wish presented Szabo with a gift basket full of supplies and a gift card to A.C. Moore. Special thanks to A.C. Moore for donating the supplies and to a generous donor for the gift card.
James B., 81, Huntsville, AL
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJames Bearden, 81, recently had his wish to visit the veterans’ memorials in Washington, D.C. granted. James, a resident of Huntsville, AL, lost one of his legs at the young age of 13 in an elevator accident. Because of this, he wasn’t able to serve in the military, something he always wanted to do. James’ five brothers all served in the Army and he always had great respect for them because of that. He has led a very productive life, retiring from IBM after many years of service and is also very active in his community, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and serving on the board of HEMSI (Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc.) for 12 years. James is currently a voter’s registration deputy and a member of the sanctuary choir at his church. His wish to visit the veterans’ memorials and pay his respects to those that served came true this past June when he and his wife, Georgia, had the chance to visit Washington, D.C. and Annapolis. Thanks to the DoubleTree in Annapolis for donating lodging for the Beardens and to several generous donors who assisted with their travel expenses.
Gus S., 92, Vineland, NJ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGus Siciliano, a WWII veteran and POW, recently had his wish for a new flagpole and flags granted. Although 92 and in hospice care for mesothelioma, he still lives in his home with Helen, his wife of 60 years. During a recent storm, their 25 foot flagpole and flags were destroyed. Siciliano is a proud Army veteran and was a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison camp in Germany. Until the storm destroyed them, he proudly flew both the U.S. and POW flags. After hearing of his wish, volunteers from Bucks County Service Industry Charities installed a new flagpole and donated new flags. On Saturday, November 17, 2012, over 50 members of Warriors’ Watch attended the wish granting and conducted a flag raising ceremony with Gus raising the flag himself.
Lorena D., 91, Maynardville, TN
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellLorena DeVault, a resident of Willow Ridge Care & Rehabiliation Center in Maynardville, TN had her wish to see her childhood friend, Billie Rose Shockley, one more time granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish and SunBridge Healthcare. Lorena lived next door to Billie Rose and her brother, the late country singer Chet Atkins, years ago until Billie Rose moved to Nashville. Despite the distance between them, they have remained close throughout the years, but haven’t seen each other in a long time. Lorena is now 91 and Billie Rose is 80 and battling cancer. They were reunited on November 2, 2012 when Lorena traveled to Nashville with family members for the weekend. Pictured, Lorena and Billie Rose enjoying each other’s company and dinner.
Daphne S., 83, Brownsville, KY
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellDaphne with former UK coach Joe B. HallDaphne Sanders, a resident of Edmonson Care & Rehabilitation Center in Brownsville, Kentucky, had her wish to visit to watch her beloved Kentucky Wildcats play at Rupp Arena granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish Foundation and the operator of her care center, SunBridge Healthcare. Sanders, 83, is a lifelong Wildcats’ fan, watching every game with other residents and staff in her care center. Sanders, a former resident of Louisville, has been watching Kentucky basketball games since the 1950’s and she and her son shared a special bond because of their love of the game and the Kentucky team. They had always talked about going to Rupp Arena to see the team play in person, but her son enlisted and life was busy for both of them. Sadly, her son passed away last year without them ever fulfilling their dream of going to Lexington to see their beloved Wildcats play in person. Thanks to the partnership between SunBridge Healthcare and Twilight Wish Foundation, Sanders’ wish was granted when she and Scott Lindsey of Edmonson Care & Rehabilitation, saw the Wildcats play a preseason game at Rupp Arena on Wednesday, October 24th. Special thanks to Rafferty Restaurant & Bar in Lexington for treating them to lunch before the game and for going out of their way to make Sanders’ wish so special. Thanks also to former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall who spent time talking to Sanders during the game. Click here to see coverage of this wish from ABC 36 in Lexington, KY.
WWII Veteran Has Wish to Attend Marine Reunion Granted
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJames Hall, 85, recently had his wish to attend the reunion of the Sixth Marine Division in Portland, Oregon granted, thanks to the generosity of many donors. One of only two surviving platoon members, Hall felt that this would be his last chance to attend the Marine reunion. Because he lives in a nursing facility on a fixed income, he could not afford the trip on his own. Twilight Wish worked hard to raise the funds to cover the travel expenses of Hall and his travel companion and fellow veteran, Bob Higgins. The two left from 30th Street Station on Monday, September 17, 2012 and were seen off by a group of Twilight Wish staff and volunteers.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hall was only 16, so he lied about his age and enlisted. He soon found himself on board a ship headed for combat in the South Pacific. His division landed on Okinawa in April of 1945 and during an attack by Japanese snipers, Hall was shot twice in the lower abdomen, leaving him temporarily paralyzed in the legs. Despite his injuries, he managed to crawl to another critically injured Marine and treated him, but the Marine died in his arms. For his bravery, Hall received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Click here to read the front page article in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Click here to watch the coverage of the wish on WPVI.