Fulfilled Twilight Wishes

Mildred L., 77, Fairless Hills, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Mildred Lowry, a resident of Grundy Gardens in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, had her wish for a desktop video magnifier granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Lowry, 77, has macular degeneration which has greatly affected her vision and ability to read. She is very independent and would like to remain that way for as long as possible. Having a video magnifier will assist her with this as she would be able to continue to read her mail and pay her bills. Lowry was a den mother for her two sons’ Cub Scouts troops and also volunteered at their elementary school as an aide and tutor. Because she lives on a fixed income, she cannot afford the cost of this expensive magnifier on her own. Thanks to a generous donor, her wish was granted on August 10, 2022.

Audrey R., 88, Zelienople, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Audrey Rauterkus, a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, had her her wish for a Disney-themed family reunion/birthday party granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Rauterkus, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, has very dear memories of her deceased husband and family going to Disney World in years past. She describes the magic of watching how happy people are there and how it makes her happy in turn. Rauterkus, who turned 88 on August 7^th, had been very active until she took a bad fall and osteoarthritis caused her to lose the ability to ambulate. After many months of physical therapy, she is now able to walk short distances although she needs a motorized scooter to travel long distances. Her determination to continue to improve her physical ability, even while grieving the loss of her husband, impressed her physical therapy team. Although she can’t travel to Disney World, Rauterkus was treated to a Disney party complete with princesses, decorations and a Disney waffle bar for her and her family to enjoy!

Shirley W., 84, Zelienople, PA

September 1, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Shirley Wright a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, had her wish to revisit her childhood home and elementary school granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. Wright, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, grew up in Franklin Park in the house that her father built years ago. She has wonderful memories of growing up there and speaks of it often. Wright’s family works many hours and isn’t able to take her out of the nursing facility as often as she would like. She visited her childhood home and elementary school on July 27, 2022.

Raymond H., 72, Willow Grove, PA

July 21, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Raymond Haines, a resident of Garden Spring Center in Willow Grove, had his simple wish for a sewing machine and supplies granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Haines, 72, worked as a tailor since he was 16 years old. Although he is now a resident of Garden Spring, he wants to keep busy and feel useful by mending and altering other residents’ clothing for free. Thanks to generous donors, his wish was granted on July 18^th.

Raphaela (Vicki) W., 90, Philadelphia, PA

July 7, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Raphaela (Vicki) Washington, a resident of Philadelphia, had her simple wish for a medical alert device and a gift card to Trader Joe’s granted, thanks to our generous donors. Washington, 90, lives on her own in Philadelphia. When she was younger, she volunteered in her church and made dinners for those in need. Because she lives on a fixed income, she could not afford the medical alert device on her own. And, with the rising cost of groceries, it is a struggle for her to afford food on her own. Thanks to generous donors, her wish was granted on Thursday, July 6^th when Twilight Wish staff present her with the device and gift card.

Renee K., 65, Greensburg, PA

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Renee Kessler, a resident of Westmoreland Manor in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, had her wish to have dinner with her family at Red Lobster granted, thanks to our Westmoreland County chapter. Kessler, 65, became paralyzed after two spinal cord surgeries in 2021 and has been a resident of Westmoreland Manor ever since. Prior to her surgeries, she had been an CRNP working with the VA since 2008, most recently working at the VA Clinic in Greensburg. Kessler also taught Anatomy & Physiology at Westmoreland Community College over the years. She is understandably depressed after such a drastic and sudden change to her life and having dinner out with her family will lift her spirits. Kessler, her two daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren enjoyed a dinner together at Red Lobster, thanks to the Westmoreland County chapter. Thank you to Red Lobster for donating appetizers for this special dinner.

Residents of Wadsworth Glen, Middlesex, CT

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Our Central Connecticut chapter recently surprised the residents of Wadsworth Glen nursing home with a big screen TV for their community room. The residents were thrilled to have their old 30 inch screen replaced!

Residents of The Retreat, Hartford, CT

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

The residents of The Retreat in Hartford, CT were recently treated to a spa day thanks to our Central Connecticut chapter. They thoroughly enjoyed this special day!

Sherry D., 75, Philadelphia, PA

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Sherry Davis, 75, a resident of Philadelphia, had her wish for a family portrait granted, thanks to Nancy Wiggs Photography and Twilight Wish Foundation. Long Beach Island is a treasured yearly vacation for Davis and her family. She wished for a family beach portrait, but could not afford to pay for it on her fixed income. Her daughter pays for the house rental and Davis wished to contribute in some way. Thanks to the generosity of Nancy Wiggs Photography, her wish was granted!

Judith H., 83, Zelienople, PA

July 6, 2022/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary Farrell

Judith Hartman, 83, a resident of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, will have her wish to see a movie in a movie theater granted, thanks to the Butler County chapter. Hartman, a resident of Lutheran Senior Life assisted living, loves watching movies, especially musicals and thrillers. As a child, she rarely went to the movies because of the cost. When she had her own children, money was also a factor so she couldn’t afford to take them. Her wish is to experience a movie with her family: sit in a comfortable chair and enjoy “movie snacks” together. Since suffering a stroke, Hartman has not been able to get out of the facility as much as she would like. The Butler County chapter arranged for Hartman, her family and 12 residents of Lutheran Senior Life to enjoy a private showing of La La Land at The Strand Theater on Thursday, June 16, 2022.

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