Living Life to the Fullest

Sherry Budz, a resident of Bristol, Connecticut had her wish for a hot air balloon ride granted, thanks to our Connecticut chapter. Sherry, 79, has battled several medical issues recently and is currently disabled and needs dialysis three times a week. She always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon but was never able to.…

Virginia Clark, a resident of the Worcester County Development Center, had her wish to meet Minnie Mouse granted, thanks to our Worcester County chapter. Virginia, 82, has been a resident of the center since 1977. She is known to her friends as “Mom-Mom” and is described as funny, feisty and sweet. Virginia loves to color…

A merry time was had by all at the Christmas in July event at The Retreat in Hartford last week! Thanks to our Connecticut chapter and Connecticut Society of Santas, lots of lucky residents sang Christmas carols, played Christmas trivia and had a Christmas grab! Of course the day was topped off with Christmas cookies…

Mamie Darden, a resident of Hamden, Connecticut, recently had her wish to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC granted, thanks to our Connecticut chapter. Mamie, 80, would like to explore and learn more about African American history and contributions to our country. She was thrilled and grateful to…

The residents of Neshaminy Manor in Warrington, Pennsylvania, were treated to a performance from Steve Colfield and Sweet, thanks to our headquarters chapter. This performance coincided with National Skilled Nursing Care Week whose theme this year is “Radiant Memories – A Tribute to the Golden Age of Radio.” This annual observance takes place from May…

Twenty residents from Amber Court Assisted Living had their wish for transportation to see Ginger Bonner, their activities director, compete in the Ms. New York Senior America pageant on May 5, 2024 granted, thanks to our Long Island chapter.  Bonner has been the activities director at Amber Court for over 26 years. She is a…

Sylvia Starr Smith, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, had her wish for piano lessons granted, thanks to our Allegheny County chapter. Smith, 77, lives on her own in a senior high rise building in Pittsburgh. She always wanted to learn to play the piano and was finally taking lessons from another woman in her building.…

Judith Hosack, a resident of The Retreat in Hartford, Connecticut, will have her wish for a horse-drawn sleigh ride granted, thanks to the Connecticut chapter of national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. Hosack, 85, is an active council member and a volunteer at The Retreat where she lives. Because she lives on a fixed income, she…

Gary Planthaber, Sr., a resident of Silver Spring, Florida, will have his wish to spend quality time with his family on a pontoon boat granted, thanks to national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. Planthaber, 71, is battling stage four prostate cancer. He is an Army veteran who recently lost everything in a hurricane. Planthaber has always…

Ruby Johnson, a resident of Opelika, Alabama, had wish to go on a bus trip with her friends to see the Christmas lights in St. Augustine granted.  Johnson, 83, has been extremely involved with the SportsPlex in Opelika for over 15 years and has many friends there. Her wish is to go on this one last…

Jelsa Casale, a resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut, had her wish to see Andrea Boccelli in concert granted, thanks to our Connecticut chapter.  Casale, 81, has not had an easy life, working until she was 77. She loves Andrea Boccelli and knows all the words to his songs! It has been her wish for many years…

Michele Gillon, a resident of Sunnyview Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Butler, had her wish to dress up like a bride and have a Halloween party at her facility granted, thanks to our Butler County chapter. A long-time resident of her facility, Gillon is known for being fun-loving and is a favorite of everyone there.…