Twilight Wish Foundation

Twilight Wish Foundation is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization granting wishes to low-income senior citizens and older adults living at nursing facilities.[1] The organization was founded in 2003 and since then has focused on improving quality of life for seniors through both practical assistance and experiences.[2]

Founding

The Twilight Wish Foundation was founded in 2003 by Cass Forkin in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.[3] It is reported that the founder began the organization after assisting elderly women who struggled to pay for a meal.[4] At the time of its founding, few national nonprofits focused specifically on wish-granting for seniors, especially low-income seniors. The organization expanded from a volunteer-run effort into a nonprofit with chapters operating in multiple U.S. states.[5]

Mission and eligibility

The foundation grants wishes to individuals aged 65 or older who meet income requirements or reside in long-term care facilities. Requests may include travel, experiences, medical or mobility assistance, or household items. Eligibility and wish approval are determined through an application and review process.

History and Activities

Twilight Wish Foundation grants wishes through local chapters and volunteers. In 2011, the foundation organized and funded a cross-country trip for an 82-year-old woman who traveled more than 6,000 miles in an 18-wheeler, which was described as the organization's largest wish to date.[6][7]

In 2015, the foundation supported a former World War II aircraft worker, known as a “Rosie the Riveter,” in attending a national reunion in California.[8][9]

In 2023, founder Cass Forkin was named one of L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth, a national recognition program honoring nonprofit leaders. The award included a grant awarded to the Twilight Wish Foundation.[10][11]

In 2024, the organization assisted a Vietnam War veteran in Connecticut in publicly recording and sharing his military experiences for the first time.[12] That same year, the foundation arranged travel for a hospice patient from Georgia to visit Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.[13][14] Later, the foundation partnered with a commercial bakery in Louisville, Kentucky, to fulfill a wish for an 88-year-old Army veteran to tour a modern bread production facility.[15] Another wish included facilitating travel for a resident of a long-term care facility in North Carolina to meet entertainer Donny Osmond in Las Vegas.[16]

In 2025, the foundation organized a group visit for senior residents of a Connecticut housing complex to the Mystic Aquarium.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Twilight Wish Foundation a dream come true for seniors". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  2. ^ "Twilight Wish Foundation Surprises Seniors". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  3. ^ "Cass Forkin". L'Oréal Paris. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  4. ^ "Making twilight dreams come true | ABC7 New York | abc7ny.com". ABC7 New York. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  5. ^ "Gift will allow lifelong 73-year-old writer to keep up with her pen pals". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  6. ^ "82-year-old Truck Driving Mama Heads West". Patch. 2011-06-06.
  7. ^ "Twilight wishes and big rig dreams". PhillyBurbs. 2011-06-06.
  8. ^ "Local 'Rosie the Riveter' Shares War Stories and Fondest Memories". NBC Philadelphia. 2015-06-10.
  9. ^ "'Rosie The Riveter' From Levittown Honored For Work During World War II". LevittownNow. 2015-06-15.
  10. ^ "Aja Naomi King Is Amplifying the Work of Women Leaders with L'Oréal Paris (Exclusive)". People.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-24. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  11. ^ Savana, Freda R. (2024-01-03). "Twilight Wish founder among the L'Oreal Paris "Women of Worth"". BucksCountyHerald.com. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  12. ^ "Vietnam War veteran in Niantic shares his story for the first time". NBC Connecticut. 2024-06-14.
  13. ^ "Lifelong Elvis fan to have wish granted and visit Graceland for 1st time". Action News 5. 2024-06-17.
  14. ^ "Georgia woman granted dying wish to visit Graceland". WREG. 2024-06-19.
  15. ^ "88-year-old Louisville man's wish to tour a modern day bakery comes true". WDRB. 2024-09-20.
  16. ^ "McCune Center resident meets Donny Osmond in Las Vegas". Black Mountain News. 2024-09-18.
  17. ^ "Nonprofit grants 'wish' for Middletown seniors to visit Mystic Aquarium". WTNH. 2025-06-12.
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