Twilight Wish

A life-changing encounter with a group of senior citizens at a Bucks County, Pennsylvania diner was the inspiration for national non-profit, Twilight Wish Foundation. In 2003, Twilight Wish founder Cass Forkin noticed a group of elderly women counting out their change to pay for their buffet lunch, and as a gesture of kindness, anonymously paid for their meal. The women, grateful and touched by this generosity, insisted on knowing who treated them to their meal. Their gratitude for such a simple gesture inspired Forkin to found Twilight Wish Foundation later that year. Twilight Wish became the first national non-profit focused exclusively on honoring the wishes of deserving, low-income seniors. Over 22 years and 7,140 wishes later, Twilight Wish is at the forefront of changing the culture of aging in our society.

We fulfill wishes in four categories: Simple Needs, Celebrating a Life, Living Life to the Fullest, and Veterans’ wishes. Many of the wishes we grant fall under our Simple Needs Program. Through this program, we provide basic needs items which will improve the quality of life for those seniors. Items such as hearing aids and lift chairs allow seniors to maintain their dignity and independence, even making the difference in whether some seniors can continue to live on their own. Without access to items such as these, seniors often experience isolation, loss of independence, and depression. 

Celebrating a Life wishes are meaningful and nostalgic wishes granted for hospice patients and/or recipients with limited life expectancies. These wishes can be for family reunions, visits to hometowns, a chance to return to a job or career one more time or any similar wish that validates and brings joy to the recipient. Living Life to the Fullest wishes are experiences that a senior always wanted to have but never had the opportunity or wants to have one more time. Examples include riding in a motorcycle sidecar, having a book published, going to a Pirates game, or visiting the Philadelphia Zoo. One-third of all the wishes we grant are for veterans. Veterans’ wishes can fall under any of the other three programs, but we differentiate them as it gives us an opportunity to thank them for their dedication and selfless service to our country.

Twilight Wish recipients must be 65 and older or a permanent resident of a nursing facility. In addition, recipients must have an annual income of less than 200% of poverty level. For 2025, that is less than $31,330 for a household of one. Recipients must also have a history of giving back to their community through military service or volunteerism. 

The Westmoreland County chapter has granted many amazing wishes over the years under the direction of chapter director Jamie Bostard, who also serves as treasurer on Twilight Wish’s Board of Directors. Recently, they gifted North Irwin resident Virgie Smith, who is known as “Grandma Moose,” a magnifier for her typewriter so she can continue to create flyers and invitations for the bus trips she still organizes. 

Another special wish granted was for Paul Svetahor, a resident of Greensburg. Paul, 82, is an Air Force veteran who wanted to continue his education and go back to college for cyber security. Despite his age, he is very eager to learn and having a laptop allowed him to continue his education and improved his quality of life. 

If you are interested in donating or volunteering for the Westmoreland County chapter, please contact Jamie Bostard at 412-849-4057. To nominate a senior to have their wish granted, please visit our website at www.twilightwish.org.