by Gina Mazza
Their wishes are simple yet meaningful: I want to attend a Pirates baseball game. I’ve always dreamed of riding in a hot air balloon. I need a new set of hearing aids. I’d like to attend my 60th class reunion.
Since 2003, the Twilight Wish Foundation has been making these wishes and many more come true for seniors across the country—and right here in Allegheny County, where the impact continues to grow thanks to a dedicated
local team.
The nonprofit was founded by Cass Forkin of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, when she noticed a tableful of older women counting out their change to pay for their buffet lunch. She anonymously paid their tab and the heartful response from the women inspired her to want to do more for seniors in need. Over the years, Twilight Wish Foundation has expanded its reach, currently operating 15 chapters across the United States. To date, more than 6,750 wishes have been granted—1,083 of them through the Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland and Fayette chapters.
The Allegheny County Chapter of Twilight Wish—along with the Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland chapters—was established in 2017 after the Pittsburgh chapter (founded in 2008) was subdivided into these four counties. Since then, 444 wishes have been granted in Allegheny County alone. The chapter is led by Missy Counahan, who began volunteering in 2018 and became Chapter Director the following year. Supporting her are Debbie Fiumara, Secretary/Treasurer, and Baliegh Butler, Chapter Ambassador.
The chapter currently has 51 active members, with 15 to 17 regularly attending monthly meetings. Many volunteers are current or retired staff from the UPMC Living-at-Home Program, while others come from agencies that serve older adults like Home Instead, IKOR, Senior Care Authority, Juniper Village of Forrest Hills and Hope Hospice, to name a few.
“I love being a part of this amazing organization,” comments Missy. “When I personally grant a wish, I get more than I give. It’s such a good feeling to provide joy to these well-deserving seniors. It’s our honor to give back to those who have given so much to others in the community throughout their lives.”
Twilight Wish Foundation’s core mission is to honor seniors for all they’ve done by helping fulfill their wishes—whether it’s a practical need or a long-held dream. The foundation offers several tailored programs to address the varied desires of the senior community:
Simple Needs: Providing essential items such as hearing aids, dentures, and wheelchairs to improve the quality of life for low-income seniors.
Celebrating a Life: Fulfilling meaningful and nostalgic wishes for hospice patients or seniors aged 90 and above, including family reunions or visits to significant places.
Living Life to the Fullest: Enabling seniors to experience adventures like riding in a hot air balloon, publishing a book, or meeting a celebrity.
Veterans Wishes: Honoring one-third of wish recipients who are veterans, acknowledging their service with wishes that may fall into any of the other categories.
Recently, the Allegheny County chapter granted several memorable wishes:
In February, Mary Lou Hermann fulfilled her dream of publishing and promoting her first book, Search for Survival—the first in a planned series.
In March, the chapter surprised Jimmy Morris with a new laptop. Jimmy is a resident of the Southwestern Veterans Center in Pittsburgh. Every month, Tech Caregiver students from Forbes Road Career and Technology Center visit to provide technical assistance to the veteran residents. “I asked the students to teach me how to use a computer because I don’t have a laptop or smart phone,” Jimmy says. After spending time with Jimmy, the students decided to find a way to get him a laptop and reached out to Twilight Wish.
In March Helen Steele, age 100, celebrated her milestone birthday with a party attended by four generations of her family—and a surprise visit from an Elvis impersonator, a longtime dream of hers.
In April, Missy and Debbie attended the annual Week of Wishes dinner, where the Allegheny Chapter was presented with the Corporate Angel Award in the name of Mae Krier—a former wish recipient, original Rosie the Riveter, and local icon. In her honor, the chapter created the Mae Krier Fund, which supports group wishes for UPMC Living-at-Home Program clients, providing needed items like rollators, transport chairs, and bath benches.
Twilight Wish Foundation thrives on community involvement, offering numerous opportunities for individuals and organizations to contribute:
Donations: Financial contributions, in-kind donations, and corporate sponsorships play a vital role in making wishes come true.
Volunteering: Individuals can join committees, assist in granting wishes, or help with administrative tasks.
Chapter Initiatives: Local groups such as Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, and Lions Clubs are encouraged to sponsor events or choose Twilight Wish Foundation as the beneficiary of their fundraising activities.
As the senior population continues to grow in Allegheny County and beyond, the work of organizations like Twilight Wish Foundation becomes increasingly significant. By granting wishes and celebrating seniors, the foundation not only enhances individual lives but also fosters a culture that values and respects our beloved older adult community.
For more information or to get involved, visit twilightwish.org and follow the Twilight Wish Allegheny County Facebook page.