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.
Theo M., 75, Washington, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellTheo Mechtawi, a 76 year-old resident of Washington, PA, had his wish for a face-to-face communicator granted, thanks to several generous donors. Mechtawi became completely deaf two years ago and, because he doesn’t sign, his only way of communicating is using a dry-erase board. This difficulty in communicating with others has changed him from a very social person who taught at the college level to an isolated, depressed person. Because he lives on a fixed income, he could not afford the cost of the face-to-face communicator on his own. Mechtawi fled from his home in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-1980s, leaving behind his business and all he knew to save his life. He became a U.S. citizen and worked in the electronics field for years. Mechtawi has also given to others throughout his life; he “adopted” a single mother and her son here in America and has helped them for years, providing food, clothing, support and love, asking nothing in return. His wish came true during a presentation on Monday, April 6th at Senior Life in Washington. Special thanks to sComm for discounting the cost of the device.
Ernest L., 75, East Orange, NJ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellErnest Lopez, 74, and his wife are both disabled and live in an assisted living facility in East Orange, New Jersey. Lopez is a talented artist, but wishes to improve his drawing skills by taking classes at Arts Unbound, a special art program for people with disabilities. His goal is to become a better artist so that his art can be exhibited. His wish to take art lessons was granted thanks to the generosity of the students of University of Nevada, Reno and several other donors.
Guenther V., 84, Tucson, AZ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGuenther Volkman is 84 and a resident of House of Prayer Assisted Living in Tucson. Years ago, back in his homeland of Germany, Guenther was a horse jockey. Now, he is wheelchair-bound and in hospice care in his nursing facility. His last wish to revisit a horse racetrack before he dies was granted thanks to our Tucson Arizona chapter and the generosity of Rillito Downs. Guenther spent a wonderful day at the racetrack with his family and Tucson chapter volunteers. One of the races was named after him and the winning jockey dedicated the race to him. Guenther was also featured on the Jumbotron and was honored in the winner’s circle. Special thanks to Rillito Downs for their generosity in helping to grant this wish. Watch the coverage of his wish here on KGUN 9 and KVDA NBC4.
Angela C., 83, Erie, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAngela Hayes of Erie, PA was nominated by her caregiver to have her wish for a new couch granted. Angela has spent the majority of her life taking care of others. She worked two jobs to provide for her children, she took care of her parents until they passed away, and she babysat her granchildren so they didn’t have to be placed in daycare. Angela often talked about having a new couch, but never asked for one and has always been very grateful for what she has. Her wish for a new sofa was granted thanks to the Erie PA chapter and she was so grateful. A big thank you to the Gannon University physical therapy students and the Mercyhurst University Veterans Club for helping to deliver and set up her new couch.
Wanda W., 73, Erie, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellWanda W., 73, a resident of Brevillier Village in Erie, PA, had her wish for lunch out with her two daughters granted, thanks to our Erie, PA chapter. Wanda suffers from a progressive neurological disease and, because of her physical limitations, hasn’t left the facility in over two years. Her wish was to visit with her daughters, Debbie and Christine, while she is still able. This simple wish was so important to Wanda because it has been nearly six years since the three of them enjoyed a lunch out together.
Louise M., 97, Newark, DE
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellThanks to United Health Group: Delaware Optum employees and several other donors, Louise’s wish to have lunch with her extended family was granted on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Olive Garden in Christiana, Delaware. Louise will also be treated to a day out shopping at a later date, also thanks to these donors.
Robert R., 68, Doylestown, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellDoylestown nursing home resident Robert Richardson had his wish for a motorized wheelchair granted, thanks to the employees of W. Atlee Burpee & Company and Twilight Wish Foundation. Robert has been a resident of Briarleaf Nursing Home in Doylestown for over eleven years and spent the last six in a wheelchair. However, due to his medical condition, it had become very difficult for Robert to self-ambulate in his manual wheelchair. Robert, who was born in Ireland, has no family here in the U.S. and, due to his limited income, could not afford the cost of a motorized chair on his own. But, thanks to the generosity of the employees of W. Atlee Burpee & Company, his simple wish came true!
Every year, Burpee’s 160 employees choose a charity to donate to during the holiday season. This year, they chose Twilight Wish Foundation and raised $4,500 through a silent auction at their Christmas party. Several employees, including Burpee CEO and Chairman George Ball were on hand for unveiling of Robert’s new wheelchair. Special thanks to Steve Brown of Looking Glass Photography for taking photos at the wish granting. Pictured: Burpee employees, representatives from Twilight Wish with Robert.
Ronald A., 83, Wauwatosa, WI
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRon Albers, 83, was a pastor in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for over 40 years. He suffered a stroke three years ago and now he and his wife, Barbara, are residents of Lutheran Manor in Wauwatosa, WI. Ron is wheelchair bound and it is very difficult for them to leave their facility. Because of this, they have not been able to attend church services in several years. They were nominated by Barbara’s college roommate and friend of over 58 years, Shirley Beggs. Shirley remembered Barbara telling her that she would give anything to be able to take her husband to Christmas services at their church, Elm Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. This simple and poignant wish was granted on Christmas Day when they were transported from their facility to their church to attend services. To watch the video coverage on WDJT-CBS 58, click here.
Carol S., 79, Bensalem, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellCarol Smith, 79, recently had her wish for hearing aids granted, thanks to Jim Atkins of Miracle Ear – Bensalem. Carol raised three children while working full-time and also volunteered as a den mother for her sons’ Cub Scouts troop. After retiring, she became the primary caretaker for both her husband, who has severe dementia, and her son, who suffered a stroke. Both are now living in nursing facilities while Carol now lives alone in low-income senior housing. Although she badly needed hearing aids, she couldn’t afford them on her own. Thanks to Jim Atkins of Miracle Ear who generously donated the evaluation and two hearing aids, Carol can now hear again!
Mary M., 97, Indianapolis, IN
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellMary Morrow, 97, recently had her wish for hearing aids granted, thanks to the Indiana chapter of Twilight Wish. According to her nominator, Sister Rosemarie Yao, Mary is a young, vibrant 97 years old whose only health issue is that she is hard of hearing. In fact, up until 2013, Mary still swam 50 laps weekly! Mary is also very religious and attends daily Mass. For over 30 years, Mary and her husband volunteered at their church in outreaching to new parishoners, welcoming them and personally visiting them. After her husband passed away, Mary continued her community involvement, volunteering at St. Augustine Home for over ten years. With the help of Tami and Alan Schwenk of the Take a Trip Foundation as well as Terie and Katie Thompson of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mary’s wish was granted. Pictured: Nominator Sister Rosemarie, Mary, and Tami Schwenk.