Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Gary’s wish for a pontoon ride with his family is granted

January 18, 2024/in Fulfilled Wishes

Gary 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. 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.

Phillie Phanatic Visits Neshaminy Manor

January 18, 2024/in Fulfilled Wishes

The 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’s wish to see the Christmas lights in St. Augustine was granted!

December 6, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

Ruby 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.”

Elaine has her wish for a lift chair granted

December 6, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

Elaine Johnson, 70, a resident of Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, recently had her wish for a lift chair granted. Johnson has several medical issues which make it difficult for her to stand from a seated position. Having a lift chair will greatly improve her quality of life. Thank you to Amramp for assisting and to the Philadelphia Elder Care Network for fundraising to grant this wish!

Barbara’s wish for a reclining lift chair was granted

December 6, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

Barbara Hardy, a resident of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, recently had her wish for a reclining lift chair granted. She fell earlier this year and has difficulty sleeping in her hospital bed. Hardy, 88, is working hard to rehab and, hopefully, will be able to walk again soon. This chair will assist her in that, improving her quality of life! Hardy has volunteered with her church for over 52 years, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and making floral arrangements for the altar. Thank you to AmeriGlide NEPA for helping us grant this wish!

Carmen’s wish for a lift chair is granted!

November 6, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

Carmen Melecio, a resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania, recently had her wish for a reclining lift chair granted. Melecio, 74, has several medical issues and recently broke her arm so she is not able to sleep in her bed. She only has a 16-year-old futon to sit and sleep on and it is causing bedsores. In addition, she has swelling in her legs and was told she should sleep with her legs elevated. Because she lives on a fixed income, Melecio cannot afford a reclining lift chair on her own. This is the first Lehigh Valley wish granted thanks to bingo fundraisers hosted by Lehigh Valley Aging in Place members Mary Ann Pickell and Carol Frawley of Care Patrol of Lehigh Valley; Maria Santacoloma agent/owner of United Healthcare, and Sherri Bell Ogada of Fox Rehabilitation. Thank you to Cliff Mailloux of AmeriGlide Lehigh Valley for discounting the cost of the lift chair.

Paul celebrates his 100th birthday with a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum!

October 31, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

Paul Lynn, a resident of the Southeastern Veterans’ Center in Spring City, Pennsylvania, had his wish to visit the Norman Rockwell and Eric Sloan art museums granted. Lynn, who just turned 100, is a Army veteran who served during WWII. He is known in his facility as being the most positive, upbeat and friendly person. Lynn wished to visit the museums to revisit a kinder, gentler time in America.

Agnese’s wish to have an Italian dinner is granted

September 14, 2023/in Fulfilled Wishes

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

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

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.

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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