ARTICLES / General / Twilight
Wish Foundation... /
Other Articles
Share This Article
Twilight Wish Foundation
Making Dreams Come True for Seniors
By Helen Hunter, ACSW, CMSW
The Twilight Wish Foundation is a
501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that enriches the
lives of elders by granting individual wishes and
planning special group celebrations. To qualify, elders
must be 68 years of age or older, and have an income of
less than 150% of the poverty level. The Twilight Wish
Foundation also raises awareness on elder care issues
through sponsorship of education programs in the
community and through the inclusion of educational
articles on the organization website.
Twilight Wish Foundation was founded in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania in 2003. Chapters also exist in Florida,
Ohio, California, Illinois, Western Pennsylvania
(Pittsburgh area), Long Island, New York, Arizona and
New Jersey. The eventual goal is to have a Twilight Wish
Foundation chapter in every state.
Wishes that are granted can be as simple as providing a
pair of gloves to someone in need to providing the
expenses needed for someone to take a river cruise with
their family. The sky is the limit when it comes to
granting a wish. One woman needed a tombstone marker for
her son’s grave, and Twilight Wish was able to convince
a company that makes the markers to donate the material
and the labor. Another woman was able to ride the
zamboni during an intermission at a Philadelphia Flyers
Hockey game. A Philadelphia resident recently had her
life long wish granted when she rode on a float in the
2006 Thanksgiving Day parade in that city. A New Jersey
woman recently celebrated her 78th birthday by riding in
a bi-plane. Arrangements were made for an 84 year old
gentleman who lives in the Bradenton, Florida area to
spend the day with a former Chicago Cubs manager. A
lifelong fan of the team, he just wanted to talk Cubs
baseball with someone who was associated with the team.
An older woman who lives in a Fort Myers, Florida
Assisted Living facility received two hearing aids from
the Twilight Wish Foundation, and this has resulted in
having her be able to participate in social activities
at the facility, thus greatly improving her overall
quality of life. Another Fort Myers older woman had her
wish granted in February, 2007 when she went to see the
Stars on Ice skating show at Germain Arena and she met
with the skaters after the performance. These are just a
few examples of the wishes that have been granted.
The Twilight Wish Foundation is looking for volunteers
to help in sponsoring and granting wishes for elders and
for sponsors to help grant the wishes. If you are
interested in volunteering for Twilight Wish, or if you
know of someone who has a wish and might be eligible for
the program, please contact Executive Director Cass
Forkin toll free at 1-877-TWF-WISH (893-9474) or visit
the website:
www.twilightwish.org.
In addition to serving as the Florida Regional Director
for the Twilight Wish Foundation, Helen Hunter, ACSW,
CMSW is an independent geriatric social worker
consultant and trainer. She is also a writer, and has
had numerous articles published in local and national
magazines, focusing on elder care and family care
issues. Licensed in the states of Connecticut, New York
and Florida, she currently lives in Fort Myers, Florida.
Helen Hunter, ACSW, LSW, GCM, is a geriatric social worker consultant,
trainer and spiritual director. She is also a published author, focusing
on elder care and family care issues. Licensed in the states of New Jersey, Connecticut,
New York and Florida, she currently resides in Middlesex, New Jersey
Printable Version
|
|
|
