CELEBRATING SENIORS AND MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE
July 11, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary Farrell, Director of Community Relations, (215) 534-4977
Twilight Wish Foundation Announces Planned Retirement of Founder and Board Chair Cass Forkin
Doylestown, Pennsylvania – Twilight Wish Foundation, a national nonprofit that grants the wishes of seniors in need, today announced the planned retirement of founder Cass Forkin, effective July 11, 2025. Forkin has dedicated over 22 years of service as Executive Director, Chairperson of the Board and Chief Visionary Officer to Twilight Wish and was instrumental in helping to change the culture of aging nationally. As part of the planned transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Andrea Hoisl, currently both a chapter director and board member, to be the next Chairperson of the Board. Forkin will still be involved as Chair Emeritus and will continue to do speaking engagements, grant wishes and network on behalf of Twilight Wish.
Forkin founded Twilight Wish in 2003 with $711. Thanks to her vast business, financial, and passionate leadership experience over the past two decades, Twilight Wish has grown to be a national nonprofit with 25 chapters, with hundreds of volunteers logging over 70,000 volunteer hours and earned media of $10 million spreading aging awareness to hundreds of millions of people. Over 7,000 seniors in need have had their wishes granted, greatly impacting their quality of life and often being the difference in whether some seniors can continue to live on their own and often granting the final wishes of those who paved the path. In addition, under her leadership, Twilight Wish has earned the highest levels of transparency and accountability on Candid and Charity Navigator.
One of Forkin’s proudest legislative accomplishments started with Twilight Wish. She was integral in the Rosie the Riveter acknowledgment at a time when millions of unsung women of WWII, received their first national recognition for their war effort game changing contributions almost 75 years after WWII. Forkin hosted the Lincoln Room in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. alongside tireless advocate, Mae Krier, 91, in 2017. This first national Rosie the Riveter public acknowledgement led the way for Mae Krier and the Rosies to receive the Congressional Gold Coin in 2024 fulfilling Twilight Wish’s mission of honoring those who paved the path for us. “Honoring the past in the present leads for a better tomorrow.”
Forkin was awarded the 2018 Humanitarian of the Year Award from The Chapel of Four Chaplains in Philadelphia a WWII charity headquartered in Philadelphia on their 75th anniversary. She is the recipient of many academic, political, business, and community awards. In addition, Forkin was chosen as one of L’Oreal Paris’ 2023 Women of Worth. Every year, L’Oreal Paris chooses ten female nonprofit leaders who are philanthropic changemakers. She was also recently honored as one of the finalists for the 2024 Philly Man/Jersey Man Woman of the Year and is currently nominated for Forbes 50 under 50.
“I have witnessed, firsthand, hundreds of these wishes being fulfilled. There is nothing like witnessing a person’s lifelong dream come true. There is nothing like being part of validating a person’s life when they feel most forgotten, seeing the joy and happiness it brings,” said Forkin. “So, after 22 years of leading Twilight Wish, it is bittersweet to announce my retirement. Life is short. I had a health issue in 2019 and realized I needed to put my succession plan in place as Twilight Wish is bigger than me and needed to make our world a nicer place to age. I am so proud of all that Twilight Wish has accomplished and I am excited to welcome Andrea Hoisl as the next Chairperson of the Board at Twilight Wish. Andrea is mission-driven with a passion for granting wishes and a heart for the elderly. I see only great things in the future of Twilight Wish with her at the helm!”
Hoisl is currently the Director of the Office of Faith Events for the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut. Her office oversees RCIA, Evangelization, Family Life Office, Youth, Young Adult and Adult Formation, Catholic Scouting and Ministry for the Disabled in the Diocese.
Prior to her current role, Hoisl worked at Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut for over 28 years. There, she taught religion for four years and was then Director of Campus Ministry for 24 years. She also served as Director of Faculty Formation, Religion Department Chair, XBSS Retreat Coordinator, Faculty Spiritual Life Committee Chair and Founder and Moderator of the Environmental Club. Hoisl is currently the Chapter Director for the Connecticut chapter of Twilight Wish Foundation. Her experience and integrity are well suited for the leadership role of Chairperson of the Board.
“I am so grateful for all that Cass has done the past 23 years to make the world a better place to age; Twilight Wish came to fruition because of her hard work and determination,” said Hoisl. “Everyone on the board recognizes that and will do everything in our power to live up to her amazing legacy. As Chairperson of the Board, I hope to provide leadership that will help move Twilight Wish forward in new and meaningful ways.”
Twilight Wish Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to honor and enrich the lives of seniors through intergenerational Twilight Wish celebrations. Twilight Wish grants wishes to seniors who are 65 and older or a permanent resident of a nursing home and earn less than 200% of poverty level. If you would like to nominate a deserving senior or get involved with Twilight Wish, please visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 215-230-8777 ext. 104.
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