Presentation by the Twilight Wish Foundation's Peter Stinson, Executive Director, to the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council meeting on 18 October July 2023 on the subject of what it does for senior citizens in the community: its involvement with veterans and the types of wishes that it grants.

1. What is Twilight Wish?

2. In March 2002, while having lunch at a diner in Bucks County, PA, Forkin
noticed several elderly women counting change to pay for their dinner
bill. Forkin anonymously paid the bill for them.They came over and asked
her to stand. She got a great big hug and one senior said,“we didn’t know
there were people like you anymore”.Their gratitude for her simple
gesture inspired Forkin to found Twilight Wish Foundation on July 1st, 2003,
the first national wish granting organization dedicated to serving the
needs of the elderly.
Cass Forkin
Founder & Chief Visionary Officer

3. Our mission is to honor and
enrich the lives of seniors
through intergenerational
Twilight Wish celebrations.
Our vision is to
make the world a
nicer place to age,
one Twilight Wish
at a time.

4. Twilight Wishes
 First Twilight Wish granted January 16, 2004
 Twilight Wish grants about 185 wishes each year
 Over 4,600 Wishes have been granted to date

5. Who qualifies for a wish?
 Minimum of 65 years old or a permanent resident of a
eldercare facility
 Legal U.S. citizen
 Annual income of less than 200% of current federal
poverty level
 Demonstrate a history of giving back to others
throughout their lives – through service to our nation,
community or family
 Must have the cognitive, emotional and physical ability
to experience the wish

6. What kinds of wishes do
you grant?
 Simple Needs Items
 Living Life to the Fullest
 Celebrating Life
 Special Designation for Veterans Wishes

7. How do I nominate a
deserving senior?
• Go to www.twlightwish.org and fill out our application online.
You can find it under ‘Request A Wish”.
• Fill out our application manually and mail it to us.

8. Simple NeedsWishes
Hearing Aids
enhance a senior’s
quality of life,
increase
independence and
social interaction.
Lift chairs allow
independence
and freedom to
stay in home
Wheelchair
ramps provide
accessibility

9. Living Life to the FullestWishes
Mae’s
Rosie the Riveter
Reunion Wish

10. Living Life to the Fullest
Al’s Wish To Spend
The Day at the
Roundhouse

11. Celebrating A LifeWish
Miriam's
100th Birthday

12. Veteran Wish- Celebrating A Life
Gus’Wish
for a
New Flagpole

13. Living Life to the Fullest
Lizzie’s Wish
To Help Paint a
Mural

14. Living Life to the Fullest
Luther Woods
Sock Hop Wish

15. James
attends
his
Marine
Reunion
VeteranWish – Living Life to Fullest

16. TwilightWish Recipients
Say “ThankYou”
“Seeing the look of happiness on my son’s
face as he married the love of his
life…pictures can’t deliver that effect.” –
Miriam B. on her wish to attend her son’s
wedding
“It made me feel like people cared. Everyone was so kind and helpful!” ~
Angelia D. on her wish to go to a Steelers football game
“We had a wonderful time on our road trip!
Thank you for honoring that basic principle,
that I am my brother’s keeper”– Georgia B. on
her husband’s wish to see the memorials in
Washington D.C.
James Hall’s Response

17. Other Ways To Give
 In-kind contributions of products & services
 Airline mileage
 Gift Cards
 Planned Giving
 Employer Matching Gifts Programs

18. Chapters
Birmingham, AL
Tucson, AZ
Temecula, CA
Connecticut
Colorado
DC/MD/VA
Indiana
Detroit, Michigan
Northern NJ
Long Island, NY
Massachusetts
Louisville KY
Jacksonville FL
Allegheny County, PA
Butler County, PA
Fayette County, PA
Washington County, PA
Westmoreland County, PA
Houston TX
Rhode Island
Pacific Northwest,WA
Oregon
Knoxville, TN
Western NC

19. Meet Our TwilightWish Staff
Peter Stinson – Executive Director
(215)230-8777 ext 101 peter@twilightwish.org
Donna DeQuila - Director of Business Development
(215)230-8777 ext 107 donna@twilightwish.org
Beth Bready– Chief Financial Officer
(215)230-8777 ext 102 cfo@twilightwish.org
Mary Farrell - Director of Communications
(215)230-8777 ext 103 mary@twilightwish.org
Cheryl Gustafson- Director of Wish Management
(215)230-8777 ext 104 cheryl@twilightwish.org
Randie Duretz – National Director of Chapters
(215) 820-9919 randie@twilightwish.org