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.
Jane M., 80, Irwin, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJane Monstrola, a resident of Irwin, Pennsylvania, recently had her wish for a ramp for her driveway granted by our Westmoreland County chapter. Monstrola, who is 80, has had several strokes and uses a walker. Her driveway is stone chips and it is difficult for her to maneuver the walker on it. Having the ramp installed will greatly improve her quality of life. Thank you to Blackburn’s Medical Supplies for assisting with this wish!
Frances M., 100, Dublin, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellFrances Mollyn, a resident of Brookdale Dublin in Dublin, Pennsylvania, was surprised with a ballet performance for her 100th birthday on February 1, 2024. Mollyn is in hospice care. She loves watching ballet and would enjoy seeing a performance, but it is difficult for her to leave her facility. Several performers from Dance with Joy danced for Mollyn and several of her family members on her 100th birthday. Afterward, she shared stories from her life with the young dancers including that she was the first female bank teller in New York City.
Jacqueline D., 82, Ellington, CT
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJacqueline Duquette, a resident of Ellington, Connecticut, recently had her wish for a lift chair granted by our Connecticut chapter. Duquette, 82, has chronic health issues and had been spending her days in her wheelchair, which is not comfortable. When she was younger, she taught CCD and volunteered with Senior Games in the archery competition. Her daughter nominated her, writing “my mom is the sweetest, kindest, funny lady you will ever meet!” Duquette was thrilled to have this simple wish granted as it will improve her quality of life.
Judy E., 78, Rutherfordton, NC
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJudy Elliott, a resident of Holly Springs Senior Citizens Home in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, had her simple wish for a lift chair of her own, granted, thanks to our Western North Carolina chapter. Elliott, 78, has been a resident of Holly Springs since 2017 when her husband passed away and she could no longer care for herself. She spends most of her time in a chair in the day room there, next to her best friend, Wanda. Elliott’s wish is for a chair of her own that she does not have to share with others; this would give her a sense of pride and ownership.
Noble House residents, Jacksonville, FL
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellOur Jacksonville, Florida chapter recently granted their first wish. They gifted 132 residents there with simple needs items in time for the holidays.
Shirley G., 75, Rockport, MA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellShirley Groff, a resident of Rockport, Massachusetts, recently had her wish to visit several Boston museums granted, thanks our Massachusetts chapter. Groff, 75, is a Navy veteran and calls herself a lifelong learner. She believes that learning and trying to understand new concepts is the key to longevity. Groff wishes to visit four museums in Boston: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, MIT Museum and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum as she feels they are the epitome of culture, innovation and history and will be an enlightening experience for her. Because she uses a cane and doesn’t have transportation, Groff is not able to visit these museums on her own. In addition to her Naval service, she was a very active volunteer with the Navy Club participating in funeral honor guards, parades, placing flags on graves and giving presentations. Groff recently passed the general exam to become a ham radio operator and hopes to become involved volunteering with a disaster relief organization. She visited the first museum on her list, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Groff and a friend were driven by Massachusetts Chapter Director, Catherine Sabatini to spend the day there. She will visit the remaining museums in late December and early 2024.
Gary P., 71, Silver Spring, FL
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGary Planthaber, Sr., a resident of Silver Spring, Florida, will have his wish to spend quality time with his family on a pontoon boat granted, thanks to national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. Planthaber, 71, is battling stage four prostate cancer. He is an Army veteran who recently lost everything in a hurricane. Planthaber has always wanted to go out on a pontoon boat, but never had the chance. His wish will be granted when he and several family members enjoy a day out on a pontoon boat on December 23, 2023. After their boat ride, they will enjoy an early Christmas dinner together at his home, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation who arranged for the meal for them. Randie Duretz, National Director of Chapters & Volunteers and a resident of Ocala, will be presenting Planthaber with a wish certificate honoring him for all he has done for others throughout his life before they board the boat.Gary Planthaber, Sr., a resident of Silver Spring, Florida, had his wish to spend quality time with his family on a pontoon boat granted on December 23. 2023. Planthaber, 71, is battling stage four prostate cancer. He is an Army veteran who recently lost everything in a hurricane. Planthaber has always wanted to go out on a pontoon boat, but never had the chance. His wish was granted when he and several family members enjoy a day out on a pontoon boat. After their boat ride, they enjoyed an early Christmas dinner together at his home, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation who arranged for the meal for them. Randie Duretz, National Director of Chapters & Volunteers, presented Planthaber with a wish certificate honoring him for all he has done for others throughout his life before they boarded the boat.
Phillie Phanatic Visits Neshaminy Manor
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellThe Phillie Phanatic paid a surprise visit to the residents of Neshaminy Manor on December 7th, thanks to locally-headquartered nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. Three of the residents there turned 103 this year and Neshaminy Manor wanted to celebrate their milestone birthdays in a big way! Esther Welch, Emma Ventresca and Ann Nieswander are all Phillies fans. Welch, especially, is a lifelong fan that still watches every game, even at 103 years old!
Ruby J., 83. Opelika, Alabama
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRuby Johnson, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, had wish to go on a bus trip with her friends to see the Christmas lights in St. Augustine granted. Johnson, 83, has been extremely involved with the SportsPlex in Opelika for over 15 years and has many friends there. Her wish is to go on this one last big road trip with her friends. Johnson volunteers for nearly every event at SportsPlex, from track meets to special needs swim meets. She also donates and wraps gifts for “Be a Santa to a Senior” and collects school supplies for children in need. The St. Augustine trip was from November 27th through November 30th. Johnson was thrilled that her wish was granted, saying “this will make my heart so happy.”
Jelsa C., 81, Wethersfield, CT
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJelsa Casale, a resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut, had her wish to see Andrea Boccelli in concert granted, thanks to our Connecticut chapter. Casale, 81, has not had an easy life, working until she was 77. She loves Andrea Boccelli and knows all the words to his songs! It has been her wish for many years to see him in concert and she will finally have this wish granted!