Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Nancy R., 79, Oil City, PA

September 28, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes

Nancy Ryan, 79, a resident of Oil City, Pennsylvania, had her wish to travel to reunite with her sister in California granted. Nancy and her sister were very close growing up. As adults, they traveled together, but because of health issues and the pandemic, they haven’t seen each other in over ten years. Thanks to a generous donor, Nancy’s wish was granted!

Vincent D., 71, Hartford, CT

September 28, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes

Vincent Dobruck, 71, a resident of Hartford, Connecticut, recently had his wish for an iPad granted, thanks to our Central Connecticut chapter. Dobruck recently lost a dear friend and started taking computer classes at the local public library to lift his spirits. He wished for an iPad so that he could continue working at his home.

Charlotte F., 72, Pittsburgh, PA

September 28, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes

Charlotte Finnigan, 72, a resident of Pittsburgh, recently had her wish for a new stove granted by our Allegheny County chapter. Finnigan is helping her son raise her two grandsons and they often spend time at her home. She loves to cook for them, but needed a new stove. Because she lives on a fixed income, she could not afford one on her own. Finnigan was thrilled to receive her new stove!

Kathleen E., 75, Pittsburgh, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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