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.
Doris W., 75, Richmond, IN
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellDoris, 75, is a huge Merle Haggard fan and wished to meet him in person. Grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to twelve, Doris was “thunderstruck the first time I heard him sing and saw him perform. That was 1964 and I still feel the same way every time I listen to him sing and see his picture. To meet him in person would be the crowning glory of my life.” Thanks to Sunny Hilden who helped orchestrate this wish, Doris spent Friday, April 13th with Merle Haggard before his show at the Belterra Casino in Florence, IN. Doris and her friend were backstage with Merle all afternoon, listened to the sound check and saw him perform from nearly front row seats! Doris, who just celebrated her 75th birthday, said “Even though I just turned 75, I feel like I’m 18 again!” Pictured, Merle Haggard with Doris Ward.
Bill S., 85, Newark, DE
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellWilliam “Bill” Schaen joined the Navy in 1943 during World War II and retired in December of 1962. He served as a sonar technician on five different vessels during that time. After retiring from the Navy, he worked in the naval sound laboratory in Connecticut for 20 years. Schaen, who will turn 86 on April 26th, is still active in VFW Post 475 in Delaware and continues to serve as Quartermaster there. His wish to stand on the deck of a destroyer like he did during the war was granted, thanks to the amazing crew of the USS Mahan in Norfolk, VA on April 10, 2012. The crew went above and beyond in granting Schaen’s wish, giving him a full tour of the destroyer including the sonar room and sharing lunch with the Chiefs in the CPO dining space. The crew also presented him with a birthday cake and a framed picture of the Mahan, signed by the crew.
Gerald M., 76, Bensalem, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGerald Mauro, 76, a veteran of both the Marines and the Army needed new dentures. Despite working many jobs throughout his life, he could not afford the cost of dentures on his own. Thanks to the generosity of local dentist Dr. John Pagliei of Jamison, PA, Gerald’s wish was granted on March 20, 2012. A special thanks also to Twilight Wish volunteer, Michael Ellenbogen, who worked hard to grant this wish. Pictured from left: Dr. Pagliei, Michael Ellenbogen, and Gerald Mauro.
Pauline & Phil H., 90s, Rochester, NH
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellPauline and Philip Hilton, both residents of Colonial Hill of Rochester Care & Rehabilitation Center in Rochester, New Hampshire, were granted their Twilight Wish for an anniversary dinner together at their favorite restaurant, thanks to the partnership between Twilight Wish and SunBridge Healthcare. Pauline, 92, and Philip, 96, are married and have lived together at Colonial Hill for more than two years. According to staff, they spend every day together and it is apparent that they are still very much in love. They both recall special memories of celebrations spent at Warren’s Lobster House in Kittery, Maine. So, it only seemed natural, that, when asked what they would want as their twilight wish, they asked to celebrate their 74th wedding anniversary with a romantic dinner like old times. Originally planned for their anniversary date on November 24, 2011, an illness prevented them from leaving the nursing center. They celebrated their belated anniversary on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Warren’s Lobster House.
Downingtown East Key Club Grants Wishes to Nursing Home Residents
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellKey Club members from Downingtown East High School in Downingtown, PA raised funds over the past few months to grant the wishes of ten nursing home residents at St. Martha Manor nursing home, also in Downingtown. The wishes were for simple items including a CD player, Glee soundtrack, slippers, and a stuffed dog. On Thursday, February 16, 2012, the particpating students visited the nursing home and distributed the gifts to the residents. Through Teva’s partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive guard Danny Watkins, SWOOP, and several Eagles’ cheerleaders also attended the event and visited with the residents.
Gloria, 100, Philadelphia, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGloria Kravitz, was surprised at her 100th birthday party by a visit from the Phillies’ Phanatic. A lifelong Phillies’ fan, she loves the Phanatic. Although Kravitz never had any children of her own, she was a second mother to many of her nieces and nephews and is beloved by her extended family, with over 125 attending her party. According to one of her nieces who submitted the wish application on her behalf, Kravitz lights up when she sees the Phanatic on television. Her wish came true on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 when the Phanatic made a surprise appearance at her birthday party.
Phyllis, 88, LaVerne, CA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellPhyllis, 88, has several medical issues including a long battle with breast cancer. Both she and her husband, John, are huge David Archuleta fans. They love his voice and admire his character and devotion to God. Phyllis wished to meet David, but because of her health issues, was unable to leave her home. Despite fighting a cold and leaving the next day for the Philipines, David visited them at their home and sang two songs to them, including Phyllis’ favorite: “Ave Maria.” Thanks to David and to Sunny Hilden who orchestrated the visit. A big thanks also to all of David’s fans on Twitter who helped grant this wish!
Cindy D., 65, Newman, IL
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellCindy, 65, is a permanent resident of a nursing home in Illinois. Cindy is paralyzed due to primary lateral sclerosis, a progressive degenerative neurological disorder. Her eyesight has also deteriorated recently due to macular degeneration. Cindy’s wish is for a new phone with a headset so that she can communicate with family and friends. She has three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Thanks to our very generous donors, her new phone and headset are on their way to Cindy!
Shirley F., 81, Bensalem, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellShirley Fulmer, 81, had her wish for new shoes and clothing granted, thanks to the generosity of several donors. Shirley has several medical issues, including macular degeneration and a heart condition, and relies on a walker for balance. Because she has lost a great deal of weight, her clothes no longer fit her properly and she could not afford to buy new ones because of her fixed income. Shirley also has issues with her feet and needed new orthopedic shoes, but could not afford them on her own either. Thanks to Michael Kogan of Kogan’s Prosthetics, Inc. for donating new shoes for Shirley and to several donors whose generosity allowed Shirley to buy some new clothes. Her simple needs wish was granted in November of 2011.
Beula C., 82, Idaho Falls, ID
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellBeula Chesak, a resident of Idaho Falls Care and Rehabilitation Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, had her wish to spend the day with sheep granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish and SunBridge Healthcare. Chesak, 82, grew up around animals, herding sheep with her sister when they were young girls. Her wish was to be around a herd of sheep and pet them, just one more time. Her poignant wish came true on October 20, 2011 when Chesak visited a local family who raise sheep on their property. Chesak was accompanied by her husband, daughter and sister. Special thanks to the Cole family for their generosity and kindness in helping to grant this wish.