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.
75-Year-Old Former Biker Rides a Harley One More Time…on Father’s Day!
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellHerman “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 1,279th wish granted by Twilight Wish since its founding seven years ago.
Dee, 89, El Monte CA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Robin KardaneDee’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 90th 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorAvondale, 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorMary, 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 5th 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorFormer 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorJohn 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorJane 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
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorCarol’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 16th birthday and was able to attend her grandson’s high school graduation.
Joe B., 83, St. Clairsville, OH
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorJoe served in the U.S. Army for 12 years, and his wish was to travel back to Normandy, France.
Joe became a parachutist with the 101st Airborne and took part in Operation Overlord, the combined airborne and amphibious assault on the Normandy coastline of France during World War II. After his discharge, Burch served as Commander of his American Legion Post, working with veterans to help them receive their benefits. Burch has helped provide wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, beds, mattresses, anything veterans might need.
Now 84 years old, he is known throughout his nursing home for his kindness and willingness to help others. Volunteer Steve Tambone worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funding for this wish. In addition, many generous organizations and individuals donated money to make this wish come true.
Burch and his former social worker, Cecilia, traveled courtesy of Continental Airlines to Normandy, France on Veterans Day 2009.
Alice E., 74, Philadelphia, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by TWF Site AdministratorAlice’s stove has not worked in three years. A mother of 12, Alice worked hard to raise her children alone. Her daughter wrote that “if it wasn’t for my mother, I don’t know how we all would have made it to be adults.” She wanted to do something that would make her mother smile again. The gas stove was generously donated by Yona and Jonathan Beller in June 2008.