July 14 (Day 136) Celebrating Seniors & Making Dreams Come True

Mother Theresa was once asked what is the loneliest place in the world --
Her answer was "nursing homes in America."

When I read that, I was a little suprised... but as I reflected on it - I get it... I understand.  Nursing homes can sometimes be a depository for our elderly.  Families get busy and lives become hectic.  Sometimes Seniors feel as if they have been forgotten.  Everyone wants to feel loved...everyone wants to feel relevant.  Oh, and God willing, we will all be a twilighter someday! 

The mission of Twilight Wish Foundation is to honor and enrich the lives of deserving seniors through wish granting celebrations that connect generations. Our vision is to make America a nicer place to age.


We believe it's time to say "thank you" by bringing smiles and joy into quiet, humble lives. We celebrate the life of someone special by giving a "thank you" they never expected in the form of a wish come true. Twilight Wish honors every wish recipient with formal wish numbered certificates stating their life accomplishments and wish details.


We have granting more than 1,275 wishes since our founding. Twilight Wish has 13 chapters in 12 states We have granted wishes in 35 different states.  We are celebrating seniors as never before--by fulfilling "quality of life wishes" for hearing aids, visual aids, lift chairs, dentures; "one more time wishes" such as hometown visits and reuniting families; providing "shining moment wishes" like rides in a motorcycle sidecar, blimp, parade float or hot air balloon; and finally very simple "comfort wishes" such as a banana cream pie, radios, lap blankets, clothing and stuffed animals.


Twilight Wish also has an Intergenerational Caring Program that "connects generations" by getting many students and schools, clubs, organizations and companies involved by fund raising and directly granting wishes through our wish management. We encourage volunteerism and philanthropy towards seniors, 10% of whom live below poverty level and cannot afford even the basic necessities. A potential benefit of the Intergenerational Caring Program to this aging society where 3,500 people turn 85 everyday, is that students who have been introduced to residents in nursing homes will be more likely to enter the geriatric and gerontology fields. This becomes very important when it is expected that we will encounter a shortage of elder care providers over the next few decades.

Here are a few of the latest individual wishes that are waiting to be fulfilled:

Bonnie G., 72, Dexter MN
Bonnie has always dreamed of taking her grandchildren to Disney World. Her health is deteriorating and wants one last memorable moment with her family. Please help us send Bonnie and her family to Disney World.

Vera Jean P., 94, Washington, PA
Vera has broken both hips and is recovering from surgery. She needs a lift chair.

Syble J., 71,Trenton,  NC
Syble has volunteered to help others all her life. She was a volunteer for the county rescue squad for 10 years. The retired nurses assistant now needs our help. Syble needs a new stove and hot water heater.

Peggy, 68, Homestead, PA
Peggy has nothing in her apartment other than a broken futon and a couple of pots and pans. She needs almost all household items: a bed, towels, a table, lamps. Peggy volunteers regularly at a local senior and now needs our help. Any donation towards Peggy's wish would be appreciated.

Margaret L., 91, Fairless Hills, PA
Margaret's granddaughter wrote to us asking for help. She said her Gram used to go to bingo,mass and luncheons. Some of her teeth ave broken off and she is too ashamed to go out in public. She needs dentures.

You can make a Difference: 

Donate to Twilight Wish Foundation.

Find out how to start a chapter in your area.

Learn about Volunteer opportunities. 

April 18 (Day 49) $7. Feeds A Homebound Hungry Mom

I love my Mom !  I have the greatest Mom in the World!  I hope you feel that way also...

Mother's Day is less than a month away so here is a great charity that is helping Senior Moms.  They are the hidden hungry, these Mothers and Grandmothers who sit alone behind closed doors. For years they cooked for everyone else; now they rely on Meals On Wheels for daily meals and caring contact.  Mother’s Day is a time to honor our Mothers. And it’s a great time to reach out to Mothers who are homebound and hungry. Please help provide Meals for these Moms! 



Meet Ruth. She's a mom who has outlived her only child. Ruth is a Meals On Wheels client who helped inspire our Mother's Day campaign: Meals for Moms. Go to www.mealsformoms.org to find out how you can brighten the day of a senior in need - or send a free flower bouquet e-card to a loved one through Mother's Day: May 9, 2010.

Senior Hunger…It’s Tough to Swallow
The facts on senior hunger in America are alarming:

•Senior hunger is a monumental problem. Today in America 1 in 9 seniors is facing the threat of hunger. That’s more than 6 million women and men!

•Hunger is neither confined to one age group among seniors, nor one ethnic or racial or economic group, nor one geographic location. It is national in scope and incidence.

•Most seniors who are “food insecure” lack the resources to access or prepare food due to lack of transportation, functional limitations or health problems.

•Seniors who are hungry or at risk of hunger are significantly more likely to be in poor or fair health. They are more likely to be malnourished due to lower intakes of major nutrients.

•Seniors living alone are twice as likely to experience hunger compared to married seniors. For them, Meals On Wheels volunteers provide not only a lifesaving meal, but also a caring visit to help ward off the very real problem of loneliness.

•The gas crisis and skyrocketing food costs have had a devastating impact on Meals On Wheels programs and the seniors they serve across the country.

•Hungry seniors depend on caring people like you to help provide them with their next meal.

It costs just $7 to feed one hungry, homebound Mother!  A nice Mother’s Day bouquet from the florist costs at least $35. Instead, would you like to make a donation to MOWAA to deliver some Meals for Moms in honor or memory of your Mom, or another special Mother in your life?  You can also send a Mother's Day e-card to your mother or one of the homebound senior Mom's served by Meals on Wheels.

Source:  Meals on Wheels
             MealsforMoms.org