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.
Robert L., 69, Turtle Creek, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRobert Lardin, a resident of Turtle Creek, PA, recently had his lifelong wish to ride in a blimp granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Growing up, Lardin was always interested in aviation, especially blimps. He recalls an instance when he was talking to the crew of the Budweiser blimp, he was almost knocked over by it, but he was so thrilled to be that close to a blimp he didn’t care! A Navy veteran, Lardin also continues to serve others through his volunteer work in a local hospital. His wish came true on Sunday, October 9th when Lardin and his grandson took to the skies over Pittsburgh in the MetLife blimp! Thank you to MetLife for granting another amazing blimp wish for Twilight Wish!
Robert H., 91, Pittsburgh, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellRobert Havey, 91, a resident of Pittsburgh, PA, recently had his wish to have his flower beds cleaned up granted, thanks to our Allegheny County chapter. Havey served in the Army during World War II and his unit helped liberate France. He has always been involved in his community, volunteered with the Boy Scouts and helping with the renovation of his church. In addition, Havey is in his 16th year of volunteering at Allegheny General Hospital! He always took great pride in the appearance of his yard, but as he got older, it became more difficult for him to manage. His wish was granted on June 26th when a group of volunteers from the Allegheny County chapter weeded, planted and mulched to make his yard look beautiful again.
Dorothy P., 82, Dravosburg, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellDorothy Potts, a resident of Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, had her wish to have her whole family together again granted, thanks to our Allegheny County chapter. Potts, who is 82, has three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Two of her grandchildren live in California and she has not seen them in over two and a half years. Potts’ health is declining and she is now bedridden so having her wish to see her whole family together is very important to her. The Allegheny County chapter arranged to have her two grandchildren fly in from California and spend several days, including Easter weekend, with Potts and the rest of her family.
Faye H., 76, Pittsburgh, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellFaye Hanson, a resident of Pittsburgh, had her wish to receive an honorary degree from the University of Mount Union granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Hanson attended Mount Union in the 1950s and was in her senior year, studying pre-med when experienced several tragic life-altering events. Because of this, she was forced to leave school and never completed her degree. Now 76, Hanson still talks about her college days and regrets not finishing her degree. Her wish to receive an honorary degree from Mount Union was granted on Wednesday, March 9th during a ceremony honoring her at her nursing facility in Pittsburgh.
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.
John S., 77, & Phyllis V., 86, Pittsburgh, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellTwo Pittsburgh seniors who share a friendly NFL rivalry had their wish to attend the recent Steelers vs. Browns game granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Phyllis Varga, 86, loves the Pittsburgh Steelers and John Swidarski, 77, is a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan. Both are residents of Sheptytsky Arms, a low-income housing facility for seniors in Pittsburgh. Neither Varga or Swidarski have ever seen their favorite teams play in person and cannot afford it on their own. Swidarski, an Army veteran, is very active in his church and helps make pierogis every week. He is also active in his community, serving as Vice President of the Sheptytsky Arms Resident Council. Varga is also very active in the community, volunteering at her church and with Meals on Wheels. They had a great time at the Steelers – Browns game on Sunday, November 15th.
Marlene O., 73, North Braddock, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellMarlene Otterman, a 73 year-old resident of North Braddock, PA, had her wish for a new twin mattress and box spring granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation and Mattress Firm. Otterman, who lives in low-income senior housing, had used the same old twin bed since she was a child. The mattress is in such bad condition that she could no longer sleep on it and had been sleeping in a chair instead. Because she lives on a fixed income, Otterman could not afford the cost of a new mattress on her own. She has given back to others throughout her life, including teaching bible study at Shady Park Place for the past eight years. Her wish came true during a presentation on Tuesday, April 28th at Mattress Firm in Monroeville. This wish was granted thanks to the generosity of Mattress Firm who donated the mattress and box spring and Speedy Furniture who donated the headboard and nightstand.
Mary Ann R., 71, Turtle Creek, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellMary Ann Reid, a 71-year-old resident of John Fraser Hall in Turtle Creek, had her wish for a lift chair granted August 1st. Reid recently returned to her apartment after spending several months in the hospital and rehabilitation. She lives alone and has medical issues that limit her mobility, making it difficult for her to remain independent. Reid’s service coordinator, Melissa Allenbaugh, submitted the wish on her behalf, requesting an electric lift chair that will make it easier for her to get up and out of her chair more frequently. Special thanks to Christine McGuire, lead on this wish, pictured presenting Reid with her wish certificate. Also a big thank you to the Wexford Office of Home Helpers and Cedars Senior Living and Home Health Services for helping to grant this wish.
Clara P., 86, Pittsburgh, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellAt the age of 86, Clara Parrish has lived a long, full life, but, she did have one regret. Years ago, Parrish was supposed to go on a trip with her girlfriends, but her husband wouldn’t let her go. According to Parrish, he thought she was too cute and that other men would flirt with her. So, she did not go, but, she always wished to have a night out with her friends before it’s too late. Her wish came true on Friday, July 11th when Parrish, her nominator, Mary Ann McFeely, and three of her friends enjoyed an oldies dinner cruise on the Gateway Clipper. Pictured, Clara with Allegheny County chapter volunteer Shelly Bastin.
Jim M., 79, Portvue, PA
/in Fulfilled Wishes/by Mary FarrellJim Miller, a 79-year-old veteran, had his wish to hear again granted, thanks to the Allegheny County chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation and Zounds Hearing. Miller, a resident of Portvue, Pennsylvania, lost his hearing at a young age because of an illness. Although he does use an amplifier, Miller still struggled to hear and could not carry on conversations with others, keeping him isolated from friends, family and others around him. As so many other seniors, Miller lives on a fixed income and cannot afford hearing aids on his own. Thanks to the generosity of Justin Braver, owner of Zounds Hearing Centers in Monroeville and South Hills, Miller received hearing aids. Miller was presented with a wish certificate at Zounds Hearing in Monroeville on Thursday, July 10, 2014.