Twilight Wish Foundation

Margaret, 91, dances on Broadway 8-12-08

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:50:00 -0700

The 9th of 9 wishes granted between a partnership with Twilight Wish and SunBridge Health Care happened on August 12th at Symphony Space on Broadway in NY when Margaret Heineman, 91, danced on stage with Broadway stars through the kindness of Dr. Glory Van Scott Productions' friends. Fox5NY and ABC7NY were on hand to cover the story. See below.

Jonathan McSurdy, friend of Cass Forkin writes a Childrens Book with All Proceeds Benefiting Shriner's Hospital for children

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:20:00 -0700

August 2006

Hot off the presses in August 2006 was the new childrens book by a former patient, current volunteer, public relations model, and Shriner Jonathan McSurdy. All proceeds of Yes Marisol, there is a Santa Claus will benefit charity. The book highlights the very spirit of Christmas and the spirit of the Shriners philanthropy, unconditional giving, and hope to those in need.

The book Yes Marisol, There is a Santa Claus is an account of a trip taken to a Shriners Hospital by Marisol and her uncle. Marisol has little understanding of the Shriner philanthropy, but comes to a fuller understanding of it after playing with a fictionalized little girl named Emily. Emily had been hit by a car while riding her bicycle which left her paralyzed from the waist down. The gift Emily received from Santa Claus was simply the capacity to walk again. Something Marisol had taken for granted. With Shriners help, and Emilys determination, goals such as playing soccer, or riding a bike again became very real possibilities.

At six J. McSurdy suffered a stoke, after years of physical therapy, and two surgeries at Shriners Hospital he has become a successful member of society. He has become a Mason and a Shriner, he volunteers at Shriners Hospitals on Saturdays interacting with children in the recreational therapy department. He has seen first hand miracles happen there. In 2005 he was honored to serve as a model for the Shriner Public Relations department, which has had over 69000 airings, 309 million impressions, and over 75 million dollars in advertising value. McSurdy is also part of the LuLu Shriner Mounted Guard unit riding horses in parades. He serves on numerous boards in the Doylestown area, has founded an investment firm in Doylestown, and has recently created The Spero Foundation.

Please pick up a copy of Yes Marisol, There is a Santa Claus, it tells a very real story, raises money for a wonderful philanthropy, and creates additional awareness about Shriners Hospital. To get your copy, the website address is www.Sperofoundation.org. Spero is latin for hope. The tag line is Cui ultrum donatrum, ultum ero specto. To whom much has been given, much will be expected.

Thank you.

Walkway Wish Granted for Elderly Couple

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:18:02 -0700

July 15, 2008

Elderly Couples Simple Wish for a Walkway
Granted

WHAT: Leo and Dorothy McHugh of Warminster, PA, had their wish to have a walkway from their condominium to the parking lot installed, thanks to local nonprofits Twilight Wish Foundation and the Nick DiMaria Foundation and also to the Bucks County Bar Association.

WHO: Leo, 88, and his wife Dorothy, raised seven children in a single-family home, working hard all their lives. Leo worked in the food service industry until a fall on a wet floor broke his hip at the age of 80. At that time, it became too difficult for them to maintain their home. They moved into a ground-floor condo in Warminster that is situated five condos away from the parking lot, with no walkway to get back and forth. Although Leo can still drive short distances to the doctor and drug store, it has become harder and harder for them to get around. Leo now uses a walker to get around and Dorothy is wheelchair-bound; it is a struggle for them to get from their condo to the parking lot as the ground is uneven and often muddy.

WHEN: Unveiling of the walkway was held Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM.

WHERE: 1575 West Street Road, Suite 218 (outside) Warminster, PA 18974.

BACKGROUND: Leos wish was submitted on his behalf by his daughter, Nancy Brown, who wrote, I think that my dad is the greatest man ever. He takes such good care of my mom. I just want to make his life a little easier! This wish was granted through the generosity of the Nick DiMaria Foundation who chose Twilight Wish as the beneficiary of their annual golf outing and the Bucks County Bar Association who chose Twilight Wish as the beneficiary of their casino night event. The funds raised helped to make this wish come true. The construction of the walkway was done by Twilight Wish volunteers and friends the weekend prior to the unveiling. Special thanks to Whole Foods donated box lunches for the construction volunteers. Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501©(3) nonprofit, charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or less than $20,800 annually, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since our founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has fulfilled the wishes of over 975 seniors. For more information, visit www.twilightwish.org.

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John Stanjovev Joins Twilight Board of Directors

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:06:56 -0700

July 17, 2008

Twilight Wish Foundation
Announces New Addition to Board of Directors

Bucks County, PA - Twilight Wish Foundation, headquartered in Fountainville, PA, is pleased to announce that John Stanojev of Doylestown, has recently joined their board of directors. Stanojev brings with him over 30 years of experience in the financial field, including financial planning, wealth management, and eldercare planning for retirees and their families. He is currently President and founder of Capital Insurance & Investment Planning, LLC, located in Doylestown, PA. Stanojev is deeply involved in the Doylestown community, including having served as past president of the Doylestown Rotary Club and currently sits on the boards of the Lenape Valley Foundation and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation Development Committee.

Twilight Wish Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level annually, or about $20,800, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since its founding in 2003, Twilight Wish Foundation has fulfilled the wishes of over 982 seniors and recognized another 1,080 in celebratory events, thanks to volunteers, corporate and community involvement and donations.

For more information on Twilight Wish Foundation, visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 1-215-230-8777.

Tombstone Wish for Elderly Widows Deceased Son Granted

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:50:00 -0700

July 29, 2008

Elderly Widow has Wish for Tombstone for
Deceased Son Granted

WHAT: Isabelle Miller of Donora, PA, wished for a memorial stone for her son who passed away eight years ago. Her wish was finally granted thanks to nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation and local businesses Sperling Funeral Homes of Pittsburgh, Rome Monuments of Moon Township, and Round Hill Cemetary of Elizabeth.

WHO: Isabelle, an elderly widow, lost her son at the young age of 38 to a stroke in December of 2001. Isabelle gets by on a small pension and Social Security, but hadnt been able to afford a grave marker for her son. Her wish finally came true after all these years. The donated tombstone was unveiled at Round Hill Cemetary, with a luncheon afterwards at the Hills in Eaton restaurant.

WHEN: Saturday, August 30, 2008

WHERE: The unveiling of the tombstone was at Round Hill Cemetary, 2131 Round Hill Church Road, Elizabeth, PA 15037

BACKGROUND: Twilight Wish Foundation is a national nonprofit charitable organization that grants wishes to deserving, economically-disadvantaged seniors. Isabelles wish will be the 986th wish granted by Twilight Wish since our founding five years ago. Twilight Wish grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or less than $20,800 annually, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. . Wishes range from simple, such as having dinner with a friend, to the more ambitious, meeting a favorite baseball player or a ballroom dance with a handsome man. All too often, many wishes are for basic needs such as hearing aids, lift chairs, or dental work. Twilight Wish would not be able to continue its mission of enriching the lives of disadvantaged seniors by bringing them comfort and joy, without the help of volunteers, corporate and community involvement and donations. For more information on Twilight Wish Foundation, please visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 1-215-230-8777.
For more information, visit www.twilightwish.org.

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Holiday Suprise Wish Granted for Philadelphia Senior

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:38:04 -0700

December 11, 2007

Local Senior Receives Surprise Holiday Wish

Philadelphia, PA Grace Firesinger, a 90 year old resident of Northeast Philadelphia, was the surprised recipient of a wish granted by local nonprofit organization, Twilight Wish Foundation, at her home December 7th. Mrs. Firesinger, a retired Strawbridges employee and great-grandmother of 10, received a collapsible shopping cart filled with her favorite goodies, including assorted nuts and a Hickory Farms gift basket.

Mrs. Firesingers wish was submitted by her granddaughter, Cheryl Gross, who was at the surprise wish granting. Thank you and your foundation for the wish granted to my nana this morning, said Gross. She was so happy she was brought to tears. She will remember this day forever!

Twilight Wish employees and first-time wish granters Robin Kardane and Mary Farrell presented Mrs. Firesinger with her gift and a framed certificate honoring her lifetime achievements. Mrs. Firesingers wish was the 824th wish granted by Twilight Wish Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level annually, or about $19,600, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since its founding in 2003, Twilight Wish Foundation has fulfilled the wishes of over 800 seniors and recognized another 1,040 in celebratory events, thanks to volunteers, corporate and community involvement and donations.

For more information on Twilight Wish Foundation, visit the website at www.twilightwish.org or call 1-215-230-8777.

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Broadway Wish Granted for Deserving Senior

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:20:00 -0700

August 5, 2008

Seniors Wish to Dance on Broadway Stage
Granted!

WHAT: Margaret Heineman, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, had her lifelong dream of dancing on a Broadway stage granted, thanks to a wish granting partnership between nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation and SunBridge Healthcare.

WHO: Margaret, 91, talks frequently about her love of dancing and when shes feeling up to it, will even do a few dance steps for the residents at Harborside Woods Edge nursing home where she has lived for the past three years. Margarets wish to dance on Broadway became a reality with the help of Symphony Space Theatre in Manhattan. The theatre arranged for several professional dancers including Bessie Award winner and former leading dancer of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Sean Curran; Regina Larkin, dancer and artistic director of the Joyce Trisler Danscompany; dancer, choreographer, and co-artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Tokunaga Dance Ko, Emiko Tokunaga; Boston Conservatorys Dance Theatre artistic director Yasuko Tokunaga; Anne Schwimmer, former principal dancer of the Royal Danish Ballet; and Dr. Glory Van Scott, former principal dancer of the Talley Beatty, Agnes DeMille and Katherine Dunham Dance, actress, writer and producer, to help make this wish come true. The dancers greeted Margaret with bouquets of flowers as she arrived at the theater in her limousine and escorted her on the red carpet to the theatre. There was a short performance especially for Margaret, who was then invited to dance with one of the male dancers, making her lifelong wish come true. As a finale, the dancing ladies and gentlemen performed a special waltz and escorted Margaret off the stage, ending her once-in-a-lifetime day on Broadway.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Noon 1 PM

WHERE: Symphony Space Theatre
2537 Broadway
New York, NY 10025

BACKGROUND: Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or less than $20,800 annually, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since our founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has fulfilled the wishes of over 985 seniors. Wishes range from simple, having dinner with a friend, to the more ambitious, meeting a favorite baseball player or a fighter jet ride for an elderly Vietnam veteran. The purpose of the recently formed partnership between Twilight Wish and SunBridge Healthcare Corporation is to grant wishes to SunBridge residents. Also instrumental in granting this wish are Symphony Space Theatre, especially Dr. Glory Van Scott, who donated the stage time, as well as the dancers and musicians, and American Healthcare Apparel in Easton, PA, who donated a special outfit for Margarets big day. For more information, visit www.twilightwish.org.
SunBridge Healthcare Corporation operates Harborside - Woods Edge. With executive offices in Irvine, California, SunBridge and its affiliated companies are among the nations largest nursing home companies. SunBridge and its affiliates together operate long-term and post-acute care facilities.

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Twilight Wish Featured in Doylestown's Monthy First Friday Celebration

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:10:00 -0700

July, 10 2008

July 4th First Friday a Rockin Time in Doylestown

Doylestown, PA Doylestowns monthly celebration of the arts, First Friday, fell on July 4th this year and showcased Twilight Wish Foundation, a local nonprofit that grants wishes to deserving seniors, as the featured charity for this fun-filled, patriotic event.

Passersby were entertained by the sounds of Ol Blue Eyes crooned by Billy Amore and kicked up their blue suede shoes and swiveled their hips as local award-winning Elvis impersonator and friend of Twilight Wish, Dean Garofolo performed. Dean did a great job interacting with the crowd and had many people, young and old, up and dancing in the streets!

Twilight Wish is a locally-based 501©(3) nonprofit, charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or less than $20,800 annually, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since our founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has fulfilled the wishes of over 975 deserving seniors. Recently granted wishes include a fighter jet ride for an elderly Vietnam veteran, a visit by Great Danes to a double amputee in a nursing home, and a class ring and graduation ceremony for a nursing home resident who received her GED in 1986, but none of the pomp and circumstance. Each wish, no matter how small or how large, brings immeasurable joy to the deserving senior who has their lifelong dream realized. For more information, visit our website at www.twilightwish.org.

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Photo captions:
#1 Dean Garofolo serenading passersby.
#2 Dean posing with some of his younger fans.
#3 Dean singing America the Beautiful with the American flag as a backdrop.

Blimp Wish Granted for Senior's 70th Birthday

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

July 15, 2008

Seniors Lifelong Dream to Fly in a Blimp
Granted for her 70th Birthday

WHAT: Emma Roberson, of Pipersville, had her lifelong dream of flying in a blimp granted, thanks to local nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ). To celebrate her 70th birthday, Emma rode in the Horizon blimp, one of only 20 airships in the world!

WHO: Emma, who turned 70 on July 15th, has always wanted to ride in a blimp, but never had the opportunity. Emma spent her life giving to others, taking in a family of children whose mother passed away when the youngest was only four years old. Emma also helped arrange a hunting trip out West for a man who has been wheelchair-dependent since childhood.

WHEN: Monday, July 21, 2008
Blimp departed at 10 AM

WHERE: Solberg-Hunterdon Airport
Thor-Solberg Road
Readington, NJ 08870

BACKGROUND: Emmas wish was submitted on her behalf by her daughter, Cheyenne Mease, who wrote, My mom has always wanted to go for a blimp ride. She is a very giving woman, always helping to make dreams come true for others, often putting her own dreams on the back burner. In its 11th consecutive year of touring, Horizon BCBSNJ has used the blimp to provide community support in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Special Olympics of New Jersey, and other worthwhile organizations. With headquarters in Newark, NJ, Horizon is New Jerseys largest health insurer, providing coverage to more than 3.2 million people. Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501©(3) nonprofit, charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors who are over 68 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or less than $20,800 annually, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. In the years since our founding in 2003, Twilight Wish has fulfilled the wishes of over 975 seniors. Wishes range from simple, having dinner with a friend, to the more ambitious, meeting a favorite baseball player or a fighter jet ride for an elderly Vietnam veteran. For more information, visit www.twilightwish.org.

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Please note: Members of the media are invited to ride the blimp. Please contact Dana Blonski of Winning Strategies at 973-799-0200 ext. 224 to schedule a ride.

Long Island Chapter Grants First Wish

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:50:00 -0700

May 20, 2008

Twilight Wish Foundation
Long Island, NY Chapter Grants First Wish

Long Island, NY The Long Island, New York chapter of national nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation, led by director James Ciervo, recently granted its very first wish! Dale Grand, 74, of Yonkers, NY, had requested to meet Jon Stewart, the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. Although Twilight Wish was not able to arrange a meeting with Stewart, Grand, his daughter, and Ciervo enjoyed a lovely lunch at the 1050 Lounge in Manhattan, then attended a taping of the show on Monday, May 5, 2008 at the studios. After the taping of The Daily Show, Grand received a copy of the script of that days show as a memento.

Founded by Cass Forkin in 2003, Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that grants wishes to seniors 68 years old who have an income of less than 200% of poverty level annually, or about $19,600, or who cannot make their own wishes come true. Headquartered in Bucks County, PA, Twilight Wish is experiencing tremendous growth, with seven chapter offices in six states and volunteers throughout the entire country helping grant wishes. Since our founding five years ago, Twilight Wish has granted over 947 individual wishes and recognized another 1080 seniors in group celebratory events.

In the next few months, the chapter will be gaining momentum under the direction of Ciervo and will continue to make a difference in the lives of deserving seniors. Twilight Wish would not be able to grant wishes without volunteers, corporate and community involvement and donations. If you are interested in becoming a part of Twilight Wish Foundation, please call James Ciervo at 631-361-3531 or email him at LINY@TwilightWish.org. In addition, if you are interested in learning more about Twilight Wish, please visit our website at www.twilightwishfoundation.org.

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Caption: Pictured, left, regional director James Ciervo with wish recipient Dale Grand (holding script from show).