Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Mae G., 68, GA

September 15, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Robin Kardane

Mae and her husband, a Vietnam Veteran, long to return to New Jersey to attend their 50th high school reunion in early October. She has not been back to her home town for over 20 years. Both suffer from many health issues but are able to drive from Georgia to attend the reunion. Mae has asked Twilight Wish to help them with their travel related expenses. Please donate and help us grant Mae her wish to see her former classmates again.

Thanks to many generous donors, Mae and her husband, Joe, made the trip to New Jersey to attend the reunion. Not only did Mae and Joe see their old classmates, they also visited Mae’s grandmother’s grave, the house they built before they moved to Georgia and ate a lot of Jersey tomatoes!

Sisto, 82, Albuquerque, NM

September 9, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Robin Kardane

Sisto, 82, started boxing at the age of 17 and was a professional boxer in Los Angeles, Arizona, and El Paso. He decided to quit boxing because his mother worried for his safety and would cry every time he stepped into a ring. After one fight where his opponent hit him in the eye, he decided to stop boxing altogether to honor his mother’s wishes and has not boxed ever since. He loves to reminisce about his boxing days and everyone he met along the way. Sisto taught his sons to box, but they didn’t pursue it as a sport. He is now confined to a wheelchair, but still dreams of showing young students “what he’s still got.” His wish was granted jointly by the Ladera Care and Rehab Center and Twilight Wish Foundation in May 2010. Thanks to the instructors and students in the boxing program run by the New Mexico Sheriff & Police Athletic League for letting Sisto join their class.

75-Year-Old Former Biker Rides a Harley One More Time…on Father’s Day!

September 2, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Herman “Max” Dierich, a resident of Creekside Care and Rehabilitation Center in Stockton, California, had his nostalgic twilight wish to ride on a Harley one more time granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish Foundation and SunBridge Healthcare Corporation, operator of the Creekside care center.

Max, 75, was an avid biker throughout his life and owned his own motorcycle. His worn leather motorcycle jacket still hangs in his room at Creekside. Now, confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk, he wished for one last ride on a Harley. His nostalgic wish came true when he took a ride in a motorcycle sidecar one more time. Max’s wish is one of nine wishes chosen from more than 200 applications submitted by SunBridge residents from across the country. The internal campaign inspired by the partnership is called “Wish Upon a Twilight Star” and gives the residents living in SunBridge-operated nursing centers the opportunity to ask for, and in many cases, receive their Twilight Wish. Eagle’s Nest Harley-Davidson in Lathrop will be giving Max his ride in a motorcycle sidecar, escorted by members of the California Valley Stockton Chapter (CVSC) H.O.G. Max rode from his nursing home to Eagle’s Nest in Lathrop, riding through the building and service area, giving him a chance to meet employees and check out the Harleys. Thanks to Rich Kendall, Service Manager at Eagle’s Nest and CVSC for donating their time and making Max’s wish come true!

Max’s wish was the 1,279^th wish granted by Twilight Wish since its founding seven years ago.

Dee, 89, El Monte CA

August 9, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Robin Kardane

Dee’s wish is for a 90th birthday party with her family and friends. Her daughter wrote to us saying “She never asks for anything but always has given all she could. She has never had a birthday party.” Dee thinks a party with her family and friends would make her 90^th birthday special. She has suffered two strokes and is losing her eye site. She may not have many more birthdays.

On September 11, 2010, Dee’s wish for a party came true. With the help of Twilight Wish, the Los Angeles Lakers, Mobile Taco Man of Los Angeles, A1 Event & Party Rental and Von’s supermarket, Dee’s daughters were able to make Dee’s wish a reality. The party, including a limousine service for Dee and her family, was attended by more than 100 friends and relatives.

Mary T., 89, Avondale, AZ

May 20, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

Avondale, AZ – Mary Thompson, a nursing home resident in Avondale, Arizona, had her poignant wish to visit a zoo and pet the animals granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish Foundation and her care center, Estrella Care and Rehabilitation Center. This partnership offers residents the opportunity to submit a “Twilight Wish” to the national foundation through a program called “Wish Upon a Twilight Star.”

Mary, 89, has been a resident of Estrella Care and Rehabilitation Center for 12 years. Mary was raised on a farm and misses interacting with the animals. Her wish was submitted by Activities Director Tomas Quevedo, and was one of 208 wish applications received nationwide by SunBridge Healthcare, operator of Estrella.

Mary’s dream came true when she visited the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park, AZ on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 with her caretaker. Special thanks to Wildlife World Zoo who donated the tickets for Mary’s wish. “This was a wonderful day for her and brought back many happy memories,” said Diane McMannis, Administrator.

Mary R., 90, Bedford, NH

May 20, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

Mary, nursing home resident, had her simple, yet heartfelt wish for new wigs that fit properly granted, thanks to a partnership between Twilight Wish Foundation and her care center, Bedford Hills Care and Rehabilitation Center. This partnership offers residents the opportunity to submit a “Twilight Wish” to the national foundation through an internal program known as “Wish Upon a Twilight Star.”

Mary, 90, began working at the young age of 15 to help support her family and was the oldest of four children. She was married for just three months when her mother died at a young age. Following her mother’s death, Mary was responsible for the care of her father and three younger brothers, as well as her husband. In fact, Mary worked until the age of 82.

“Caring for others is something she’s done all her life and she never had the chance to take the time to care for herself,” said Julie Hamilton, Solana Program Director who nominated Mary for this wish. “This will be Mary’s big day,” she added.

Jackie Staiti, owner of Amanda Thomas Boutique, did a special wig fitting on May 5^th to find the perfect wigs for Mary. Mary received her new wigs at a party held during the nationwide celebration of National Nursing Home Week, Thursday, May 13, 2010. Special thanks to Jackie Staiti of Amanda Thomas Boutique, located in Amherst, NH, for donating her time and the cost of one of the wigs to Mary.

Bernice, 86, Elizabethtown, KY

May 18, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

Former teacher Bernice was granted her longtime wish of returning back to the classroom after retirement. She taught classes in Green County for 38 years, beginning her career in a one-room schoolhouse. In May 2009, Bernice was granted her wish and visited and read a story to a kindergarten class at St. James School. Bernice’s wish is one of 9 granted nationally each year in partnership with SunBridge Healthcare Corporation.

John B., 68, Muscle Shoal, AL

May 18, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

John has been a resident of SunBridge Healthcare’s Cypress Cove Care and Rehabilitation since 2005. John loves lions; his room is decorated with them and he watches the University of North Alabama’s “Lion Cam” to see their lion mascots in action. Because of John’s medical condition, he has never had the opportunity to see lions in person. According to John, “If I can see a real live lion before I die, I will be a happy man.”

John’s wish came true in May 2009, when he was transported by ambulance to the UNA campus where he saw their mascots, Leo III and Una, in person.

Jane R., 88, Plumsteadville, PA

May 18, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

Jane has volunteered with the local fire company’s Ladies Auxiliary for more than 50 years. In June 2009, Jane’s wish was granted to see a Philadelphia Phillies game. She met players and watched the game from Hall of Fame club seats.

The tickets were courtesy of Shrenk Family Foundation and Scott Froggatt of Robert Chalpin Associates of Southampton.

Carol, S., 77, Bethel Park, PA

May 18, 2010/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site Administrator

Carol’s wish was to visit her grandchildren in Rochester, NY. In June of 2009, Carol traveled to Rochester courtesy of Continental Airlines. She celebrated her granddaughter’s 16^th birthday and was able to attend her grandson’s high school graduation.

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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