IN Peters Township December 2016/January 2017 | Page 88

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n May 2003, Cass Forkin was having
lunch at a diner in Doylestown, PA. After
noticing several elderly women struggling
to piece together change to pay their bill,
Forkin anonymously paid it for them. The
sincere gratitude expressed by the women
for this simple gesture inspired Forkin to
continue her efforts— and Twilight Wish
Foundation was born.
Twilight Wish Foundation is a 501(c)3
national nonprofit organization that grants
wishes to economically disadvantaged seniors
over the age of 68 who cannot make their own
dreams come true or are permanent members
of an eldercare facility. The organization
strives to honor and enrich the lives of
deserving seniors through celebrations that
connect generations—making the world a
nicer place to age—one wish at a time.
“We value the spirit of the elderly,” says
Forkin, Founder and Chairman of the Board.
“It’s a way to say thanks, show respect and
make wishes come true in the twilight years
for those who have spent their lives making
wishes and dreams come true for others.”
Twilight Wish Foundation’s
Washington County Chapter
helps grant wishes to deserving
seniors in its surrounding
communities. The Washington
County Chapter staff is
comprised of all
volunteer members
and is led by
Chapter Director
Cherie Dixon.
“I have been
involved with
Twilight Wish
Foundation for
about two years,
though I have
spent much of my
life working with
and volunteering for

86 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Peters Township

Granting
Wishes
The Washington County
Chapter of Twilight
Wish Foundation
brings joy to seniors in
Peters Township and
surrounding areas.
BY NICOLE TAFE

senior citizens’ and veterans’ organizations,”
says Dixon. “Twilight Wish is an important
initiative. Our seniors often need even the
smallest gesture of kindness and compassion,
and granting one simple wish can brighten
someone’s day or make life just a little bit
easier.”
A wish granted by the organization can
range from fulfilling an immediate need to
fulfilling a lifelong dream. Twilight Wish
offers four categories of wishes: Simple
Needs/Quality of Life Wishes that include
clothing, wheelchairs, walkers, appliances,
medication and more; Celebrating Life
Wishes granted to hospice patients with
limited life expectancy, including family
reunions, visits to a hometown, a chance to
return to a job or career one more time, or
similar wishes that validate and bring joy to
the recipient; Living Life to the Fullest Wishes
that are bucket-list wishes such as riding a
motorcycle, meeting a celebrity, publishing
a book or attending a sporting event; and
Veteran’s Wishes, which can fall into any of
the wish categories, giving Twilight Wish
an opportunity to thank veterans for their
service.
To qualify for a wish, recipients must be
over the age of 68 or a permanent
member of an eldercare facility,
a U.S. Citizen, demonstrate
financial need, provide a
positive history of giving back
to others through service
to our nation, community
or family and possess the
cognitive, emotional and
physical ability to experience
their wish.
The Washington
County Chapter holds
several fundraisers
throughout the
year. Most recently, the
group has hosted a Labor Day