Being unwanted, unloved,uncared for, forgotten by everyone. I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.
Doylestown, PA – Local nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation recently honored and thanked volunteers, staff, and board members at their holiday gathering held Thursday, December 11, 2008. Headquartered in Fountainville, PA, Twilight Wish is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that grants wishes to deserving, low-income elderly in our community.
“All year long, we are able to honor and thank seniors by granting wishes because of some incredible people,” said Cass Forkin, Executive Director of Twilight Wish. “We thought this party would be a great way to let them know how much we appreciate all that they do.”
Twilight Wish volunteer Denise Ouellette was recognized for her over 450 hours of volunteer service and was also honored as 2009 Angel Volunteer of the Year. Departing board member and chair of the Wish Committee, Lori Ammon was presented with the 2009 Gold Star award by Forkin for her years of service and significant contributions to wish granting procedures (2006 – 2008) to Twilight Wish. Finally, Kathy Bates, Activities Director for Neshaminy Manor was presented the 2009 Kathleen Mary Forkin award for demonstrating spirit and integrity towards seniors and for going above and beyond in everything she does to make the lives of seniors more enjoyable.
Forkin also thanked other sponsors and supporters, including Sunrise of Abington for letting Twilight Wish use their Brownstone location for the party and for donating the fruit and cheese tray; Pete Ricci of Sand Castle Winery for donating the wine; Andy and Leslie Bilotta of Gross’ Gourmet in Doylestown for donating the quiche appetizers; and to Tim and Ean Duffy and Chris Tully of TulStar Productions for putting together the Twilight Wish movie which premiered at the party. Door prize winners were Catherine Asplen, Pete Ricci, Lori Ammon, and Rod Ammon.
The elderly residents of the Golden Living Center in Doylestown recently had their wish for a Wii game system granted, thanks to the generous 7K CCD students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and local nonprofit Twilight Wish Foundation. As part of their community service project, one of the seventh grade classes held a bake sale to raise the money to purchase the popular game system for the nursing home residents.
The Wii system has been gaining popularity among senior citizens, offering them the chance for exercise and social interaction. Particularly popular with the elderly are the bowling and tennis games. The Wii system and certificates honoring the residents were presented during a ceremony held on Monday, November 24th at the Golden Living Center, attended by the students and residents. The students demonstrated how to use the controllers and play the Wii to willing residents. Afterwards, a friendly competition was held among teams of seniors and students.
This wish granting was arranged through Twilight Wish Foundation, who brought together a CCD class looking for a meaningful service project and seniors in need of kindness and generosity. Twilight Wish’s pilot Intergenerational Caring Program specifically reaches out to the elderly living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Designed to alleviate some of the loneliness and isolation experienced by these residents, the program matches schools with local nursing homes, benefiting both the students and the seniors in a wish granting program. The students involved gain valuable work and life experience and a respectful understanding of aging, while the seniors feel respected and acknowledged. Pending receipt of funding, Twilight Wish plans to introduce this program on a broader basis locally, with long-term goals to roll it out across Pennsylvania and then nationally.
This wish was the 1,022nd wish granted by Twilight Wish since its founding five years ago.
Elderly widow, Anna Walling, a resident of Renaissance Gardens at Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, had a reunion with her childhood friend from Scotland, thanks to national nonprofit, Twilight Wish Foundation.
Anna, 84, has known Margaret Zimmerman since they were young girls growing up together in Scotland. Sadly, Margaret is the only living link to Anna’s past, but lives in Erie, PA. Since her husband’s death in 1999, Anna has been in assisted living facilities, but had been active and involved, playing the piano for residents and for her church. Unfortunately, since suffering a stroke and being diagnosed with neuropathy, Anna can no longer walk or function independently. She dreams of her days as a young girl in Scotland, with her friend, Margaret, when she was able to walk and play the piano. Anna’s geriatric case manager submitted her wish application on her behalf, requesting a reunion with her beloved childhood friend. Her wish came true when Margaret and her daughter, Elizabeth, made the trip to see Anna, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation. A celebratory luncheon was held in honor of this heartwarming reunion at Anna’s favorite restaurant, the Beacon Street Grille. In addition, authentic Highland Piper, Bill McEvoy, donated his time on Saturday evening with a surprise visit to Anna and Margaret.
The luncheon was held Friday, December 5, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. The bagpiper performed Saturday night, December 6, 2008 at Anna’s nursing home.
Anna’s wish was the 1,031st wish granted by Twilight Wish Foundation and the fifth wish granted by the New Jersey chapter to date. Special thanks to Continental Airlines for donating the tickets for Margaret and her companion to fly in for the reunion, to Bill McEvoy for donating his time and musical talents, and to Renaissance Gardens at Seabrook Village for donating the rooms and food vouchers for Elizabeth and Margaret.
Nogales resident Virginia Durazo, 79, who has been nearly deaf for the past seven years, received a new pair of high-powered hearing aids on Wednesday and said “it’s a wonderful feeling” to be able to hear again. The hearing aids were donated by the regional director of GN ReSound Corp., while Larry Roberts, owner of Giraffe Hearing in Green Valley, volunteered to conduct the exam and fitting. The gift was organized through the Twilight Wish Foundation, a national non-profit organization that celebrates special seniors by giving them a surprise “thank you” in the form of a wish come true. You can contact Rose Muzzy, the Arizona Regional Director for the Twilight Wish Foundation, at 520-749-0392 or by e-mailing az@twilightwish.org.
Welcome to the Twilight Wish Fall 2008 edition of "Shining Moments." We recently updated our mission statement "to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations connecting generations."
1,012 Twilight Wishes covering over 30 states have been granted, as of September 30th. We also have 77 open wishes. Often, we will place these wishes on our website for sponsors or in-kind donations. Remember to check the website frequently. It is all about connections and you never know when you might be the key in granting a special senior's wish.
Cass Forkin, Founder and Executive Director of Twilight Wish Foundation, and Jim Kinsey, Board Director of Twilight Wish presented at the annual conference for the Pioneer Network in Washington, D.C. on August 21, 2008. They are national experts on the topic "Changing the Culture of Aging...One Wish at a Time." The question was put forth to an able bodied audience, "If you could have one wish, anything, what would it be? Now imagine you are in a nursing home, limited contact with family members, limited income and mobility...how would you make that wish come true?" Twilight Wish has been making those wishes come true for five years now. Hundreds of nursing homes across the country are now asking this question to honor and enrich the lives of deserving elders through wish granting celebrations connecting generations. Twilight Wish has granted 1000 wishes including 78 year old Willodean graduating from high school and receiving her class ring; 75 year old Bobbie Joe flying in a fighter jet; 100 year old Norma taking a ride on the side car of a motorcycle; dozens of elders meeting their favorite baseball players and attending games at the Phillies; Mets; Yankees; Cubs; Red Sox; the list goes on.
Honoring the spirit; recognizing and thanking forgotten elders for their contributions; taking the time to say "we care and we remember" increases the quality of life of the elderly. Combining that with intergenerational participation to grant wishes changes the culture of aging in America.
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.
“I’ve got to be doing something. I’m not going to wind up a couch potato,” he said with a smile.
Since moving in with his daughter Bonnie Andersen and her husband Jerry, he’s been filling his days with handyman jobs around the Tinley Park house, fixing things and enjoying a few games of pool, thanks to some help from the Twilight Wish Foundation.
Olney resident Rus Hammond recently saw his father experience the fulfillment of a decades-old dream, and he now hopes to help others experience the same thing.
Cass Forkin was a guest of honor and was awarded an Oscar for her work with the elderly by the C.W. and Marjorie Schrenk Family Foundation at their annual gala called “A Night at the Oscars” held at Arthur’s Catering in Southampton, PA on Saturday, October 6, 2007. Mary Forkin, Cass’ sister, accompanied her for the evening and actively participated in the silent auction. 250 attendees.
Jen Kaiser, Twilight Wish Volunteer, and Lori Ammon, Twilight Wish Board Member did a table presentation at the Family Caregiver Expo held on October 8, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast from 10am til 3pm.
Twilight Wish Foundation featured in the Naples Sun Times
Twilight Wish granted to Neapolitan senior By: Martin Miron
Encore Senior Village assisted living center, an Alzheimer's Community, played host to the Twilight Wish Foundation, Thurs., May 3, when Denise Reid, affectionately known as "Miss Denise", received the life-enhancing gift of dental work from a national organization dedicated to giving seniors' golden years a silver lining.
Lucia, 77, Chicago, IL Lucia wants to return to Columbia and visit her only daughter, She has not seen her for over 8 years. TWF was able to help defray some of Lucia's tra ...
61 Veterans, Philadelphia PA 61 men and woman living at the Delaware Valley Veteran's Home in Philadelphia need new shoes. The Director of Nursing wrote that this wish is "a way ...
Sr. Carole, Bensalem, PA Sr. Carole has been a member of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacsrament for 46 years. She taught for many years in rural Louisiana, New Orleans, Philad ...
