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.
Angela B., 96, Oak Harbor, OH
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAngela Brindley, a resident of Oak Harbor, Ohio, was recently surprised by a visit from McDonald’s icon, Ronald McDonald, thanks to Twilight Wish and the Humbard family, owner of the local McDonald’s. Brindley, 96, was recently diagnosed with cancer and has very little appetite. In trying to find foods that she would eat, her family discovered that she loves McDonald’s Sausage McMuffins. She eats half in the morning and the other half later in the day. With her recent cancer diagnosis, her family thought it would lift her spirits to surprise her with a visit from Ronald McDonald and they contacted us.
When they heard of the Brindleys’ request, the Humbard family immediately responded and set up a visit from Ronald. On Friday, February 26th, Ronald McDonald and the Humbard family surprised Brindley with breakfast, a gift basket and a $500 check to help with her medical expenses. Brindley truly enjoyed this special visit and it definitely lifted her spirits.
Betty C., 91, McKeesport, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellHuge Penguins’ fan Betty Cummings, 91, her wish to watch them play in person granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Cummings is a huge sports fan and loves to watch the Penguins play on her little television, cheering on her favorite player, Sidney Crosby! Widowed 12 years ago, Cummings has five daughters, 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She is known for her amazing attitude and giving nature. Cummings volunteered for over 20 years for Meals on Wheels, retiring at the age of 90. She is also very involved in her church: she sings in the choir, is an officer in the Christian Women’s Guild, visits shut-ins, works at church festivals, attends daily Mass and is a lector, cantor and Eucharistic minister. This deserving woman’s wish came true thanks to the Pittsburgh Penguins who went above and beyond to make her wish so amazing. They donated suite tickets and refreshments and made sure that Betty was visited by her seven family members who also attended the game.
Samuel C., 72, Washington, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellSamuel Cree, 72, was born and raised in Washington County. Cree took care of his mother until she passed away and now lives on his own. He recently had a stroke and is no longer able to work or keep up with repairs around his home. He is in desperate need of a new washing machine but cannot afford one on his fixed income. Cree was active in the community throughout his life, including working on Saturdays in the township recycling department. His simple wish for a new washing machine was granted thanks to the Washington County chapter of Twilight Wish. Cree was presented with a certificate honoring him for all he has done for others throughout his life on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at a special disco-themed luncheon. Cree is a huge disco fan!! Thank you to Bridgeville Appliances for discounting the cost of the washing machine and providing free delivery and set up. Also, thanks to the following chapter volunteers for their hard work in granting this wish: Marie Guarascio, Activity Director of Transitions Healthcare; DeAnna Naumann, Marketing Representative of Sunny Days In Home Care; and Christine McGuire, Director of Admissions, Consulate Healthcare.
Phyllis L., 85, Greensburg, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellPhyllis Lakin, 85, a resident of Greensburg, PA, had her simple wish for hearing aids granted, thanks to the Westmoreland County chapter of Twilight Wish. Lakin had severe hearing loss and struggled to take part in conversations. She could not longer hear her family when they called her and couldn’t take part in social activities at her community. Thanks to Emerson Fazekis and Miracle Ear of Greensburg who greatly discounted her hearing aids, her wish was granted. A special thanks also to Bill Bernard owner of The Boulevard Restaurant in Greensburg for treating Lakin to a delicious lunch as part of her wish granting. Finally, a big thank you to Christy Stahl from The Thorne Group for her hard work on this wish.
Frank M., 82, Coatesville, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellFrank McCole, a resident of Coatesville, PA, had his wish to fly over his hometown of Bristol, as well as Newtown Square and his current home of Coatesville, granted on Sunday, January 17th, thanks to national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. McCole, 82, wanted to reminisce about his life, starting with his childhood in Bristol and ending with his current home in Coatesville. He is a Korean War veteran who served in the Navy as a service electrician’s mate on the U.S.S. LSM 398. In addition, McCole, a father of five children, volunteered as a softball coach for his three daughters for 10 years. Thanks to pilots from the Warrington Flight Club who are donating their time to fly McCole, his wish was granted. His flight was originally scheduled for December 27th, but inclement weather postponed it until January 17th.
Harry “Woody” E., 78, Richmond, VA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellHarry Eney, known to his friends and family as Woody, had his wish to talk to actor Henry Winkler granted on January 11, 2016. Eney has been an actor his entire adult life and guest starred in many television series including Family Ties, Mork and Mindy and Happy Days, to name a few. Unfortunately, Eney has advanced Parkinson’s Disease and now lives in a nursing facility as his wife could no longer care for him. He was nominated by his cousin to have this wish granted in the hopes that this would lift his spirits. She asked him which actor he would like to see again and he said Henry Winkler because he remembers him being so kind and gracious to him on the set. Because Eney lives in Richmond, it was not possible for Winkler to visit him in person, but Twilight Wish was able to arrange for them to Skype together!
Adolfo S., 81, Tucson, AZ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAdolfo Saucedo, a resident of Tucson, Arizona, recently had his wish to travel to Dallas to see his grandson retire from the military granted. Saucedo himself is a Korean War veteran who received both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his bravery and service. His family is very important to him and he did not want to miss this milestone in his grandson’s life, but couldn’t afford the cost of the flight on his fixed income. Thanks to our Tucson, Arizona chapter, his wish was granted in December.
Edwin S., 90, Cherry Hill, NJ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellEdwin Shapiro is a World War II veteran who served on the USS San Diego (CL 53) in the Pacific theatre during the war. Shapiro, who turned 90 on December 9th, lives on his own in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He is very proud of his time on the USS San Diego and, according to his daughter-in-law who nominated him, still talks about his service frequently. Shapiro knows there is a memorial honoring the crew of the San Diego in California, but he is too frail to make the trip to see the memorial. His daughter-in-law, Christine Shapiro, thought that seeing a photo of the memorial and the engraving of his name would be a wonderful surprise for his recent birthday. Twilight Wish staff member Mary Farrell has family who live in San Diego who offered to visit the memorial and take photos and a video of it. Twilight Wish staff presented Shapiro with a photo collage and album of the memorial in early December.
Eleanor M., 85, Girard, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellEleanor Mokula, a resident of a local skilled nursing facility in Girard, PA recently had her wish granted by our Erie, PA chapter. Eleanor, 85, spent time thinking about what she would wish for and after many ideas, decided upon a gift card to Barnes and Noble. She is an avid reader and wanted to purchase a book about Tiger Woods or the movie directed by Jon Stewart. Eleanor used to bake cookies for residents at local nursing homes. She was also worked as a volunteer knitting hats for local community shelters.
Rufus D., 82, Birmingham, AL
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Michelle BowrenRufus has been a well respected member and deacon of his church for over 15 years. He volunteers at their Clothes and Food Closet each week. He enjoys sorting the items and helping others find what they need. He is also active at the facility he lives in. He loves to read and participates in book club. He welcomes new residents and helps get them involved in activities like their weekly sing-a-long.
His wish to have a laptop computer of his own and to learn how to use it has been granted! He looks forward to learning new things and would like to take an online class.