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.
Char T., 76, Tucson, AZ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRobert S., 73, Apple Valley, CA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRobert Smillie, a 73 year-old Army veteran, had his simple wish for new carpeting granted, thanks to the Southern California chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Smillie, who is a disabled amputee with a prosthetic leg, spends most of his time in his home. The carpeting in his home was worn and frayed, with many holes. His wife, Carol, who nominated him for the wish was afraid that he would trip and fall.
This wish was granted on July 24, 2013 thanks to the generosity of the staff of Sierra Hall at the University of Nevada in Reno who raised the money to grant this wish and to The Home Depot of Apple Valley who discounted the cost of the new carpeting for the Smillie’s. Southern California chapter co-directors Kelly Shemonis and Crista Sullivan were there for the carpet installation and to present Smillie with a wish certificate.
“Your kindness cannot be expressed in words,” said Carol Smillie. “When you spend 90% of your time in your home, having new carpeting is very special.”
Bobby K., 79, Candler, NC
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellBobby King, a resident of Candler, NC, recently had his wish for a riding lawn mower granted, thanks to Twilight Wish. King, who is nearly 80, takes great pride in maintaining his property in rural North Carolina. He and his wife have lived in the same house for nearly 50 years and King still mows his grass with a push mower. Because of his age, it was getting more and more difficult for him to manage on his own. He always wanted a riding mower, but because of his limited income, could not afford one. King is well known in his neighborhood for his generosity. He and his wife took in their adopted daughter in 2007 when her mother died, raising her until she graduated in 2012. King and his wife Brenda are also very involved in their church and hold weekly prayer meetings at their house. His wish for a riding mower was granted on Monday, July 22, 2013. Special thanks to Lowe’s of West Asheville who greatly discounted the cost of the mower for King. For the coverage on WLOS, click here.
Dora B., 73, Barstow, CA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellDora Baca, a 73-year-old resident of Barstow, recently had her wish for a power chair granted, thanks to the Barstow, California chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Baca requires assistance to get around and wished for a power chair so that she could maintain her independence and improve her health.
Baca has helped others throughout her life, including working as a caregiver in a hospital setting for over 40 years. In addition, she is very involved in her church. Her simple wish was granted on July 8, 2013.
George F., 68, West Orange, NJ
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellGeorge Fania, 68, recently had his wish to return to an Amusements of America carnival granted, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. Fania, a resident of Summit Ridge Center in West Orange, spent over 40 years of his life working as an electrician, with many of them spent with Amusements of America, working on traveling carnival rides and machinery. He was forced to retire due to back issues, but misses work, his co-workers and former boss, Morris Vivona very much. Fania faithfully reads Carnival Magazine to stay abreast of the industry, but still misses that part of his life.
Fania’s volunteer advocate at his nursing facility, Audrey Larsen, submitted the wish application on his behalf. Throughout his life, Fania gave back to his community, often donating his services to those less fortunate. He was also a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts for many years. His wish to revisit an Amusements of America traveling carnival was granted on June 18, 2013 when he was transported from his nursing facility to the St. Gregory the Great carnival in Hamilton Square, NJ. Fania spent the day with several former co-workers, including former boss, Vivona. Special thanks to Lifestar who donated the transportation of Fania to and from the carnival.
According to Larsen, who attended the wish granting, Fania was overwhelmed by the event. “They (his former co-workers) were unbelievable; they spent the entire day with him,” said Larsen. “George was overjoyed to re-connect with his career and co-workers and hopes to maintain connections with his carnival family.” Pictured: George Fania, seated. Standing, from left: Karl Jackson and Morris Vivona, Sr.
Jacqueline, 73, Greenlawn, NY
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJacqueline Dorman, 73, will be discharged from a nursing facility shortly, but doesn’t have a bed rail on her bed at own. She lives on her own and needs the bed rail in order to remain somewhat independent. Because she lives on a fixed income, she couldn’t afford the cost of the bed rail. Thanks to the Long Island, NY chapter of Twilight Wish, her wish was granted on June 11, 2013 when chapter director, James Ciervo, delivered her bed rail to her. Jacqueline volunteered throughout her lifetime, as a 4H leader, in her local VA hospital and ran a psychiatric crisis hotline for eight years.
Dorothy D., 83, Austin, TX
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Michelle BowrenDorothy had her her wish granted! Thank you to our donors for making this wish come true.
Dorothy is a former nurse’s aide and houskeeper who is struggling on her fixed income. She is a beloved grandmother and greatmother who enjoys old blues music. She would love a Wal-Mart gift card so she could purchase food and some new clothes.
Priscilla W. and Betty C., Doylestown, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellTwo Doylestown senior citizens had their wish to ride in an airplane granted during Doylestown Airport’s annual “Celebration of Flight” open house on Saturday, June 1, 2013. Priscilla Weir and Betty Costello, both residents of Wesley Enhanced Living in Doylestown, enjoyed a plane ride over the scenic Bucks County countryside.
Vietnam Veterans, Coatesville, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellStudents from the Avon Grove High School National Honor Society granted the wishes of 31 Vietnam veterans at the Coatesville VA on May 23, 2013. These students fundraised throughout the school year by selling cake pops and holding a car wash, raising $1,000. The money raised was used to fufill simple needs wishes for these veterans. From ties, to slippers, to a cowboy hat, all the gifts were very much appreciated by the veterans. Great job by these amazing students!
Judith M., 70, Turtle Creek, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellOn Wednesday, May 22, 2013 members of the Western PA Chapter of Twilight Wish, along with 30 residents from the John Fraser Senior Hall in Turtle Creek, gathered to honor resident Judith Meyers by granting her wish. Judith is an accomplished artist who loves arts & crafts, but recently had to stop attending classes and volunteering her talents due to financial restraints and vehicle repairs. Thanks to the Western PA chapter, Judith will now be able to attend art classes, purchase much needed art supplies, and share her love of the arts with others. Judith is well known for her community service and volunteerism, serving as Secretary on her facility’s council. She is also known for her generosity, often giving her own limited food to others in need in her building. In addition, Judith started a pot luck dinner program at the facility to help out others in need at the end of the month when their funds are low. Pictured: Judith Meyers with her nominator, Melissa Allenbaugh.