NEW CASTLE —
A little kindness goes a long way.
That’s what Twilight Wish, an organization designed to meet the needs of the elderly, has been proving since 2003, when founder Cass Forkin footed the bill for a group of elderly women she watched struggling to come up with enough money to afford their lunch.
Since that day, the organization has granted more than 1,680 wishes, giving seniors a “thank you” for their contributions to society.
Now, a chapter of Twilight Wish is forming in Lawrence County. Several Lawrence County senior organizations are teaming up to make this possible.
“There’s a lot of elderly in the community that have unmet needs, and this could be a way to meet that need,” said Tom Ford, business development manager at Reliant Senior Care.
Ford was inspired to start this partnership with Twilight Wish when he attended a 2010 Alzheimer’s conference where Forkin was speaking. After hearing her story, he wanted to bring the same efforts to Lawrence County. He and other senior care workers began to organize a new chapter.
Twilight Wish offers three programs for meeting the needs of the elderly. The Wish Granting program is aimed at seniors 68 years or older, meeting a need or lifelong desire expressed by the individual. Wishes can be simple needs, celebrating life, living life to the fullest or veterans’ wishes.
The second program, Dining Unexpected Thank You (DUTY), is similar to Forkin’s original experience. As the Twilight Wish website explains, “If a diner sees an elderly person eating out and would like to treat them to a meal, they hand the DUTY card to a waitress and pay that person’s bill. In turn, the waitress presents that card to the recipient.”
The final program is the Intergenerational Education Program. It matches local schools with nearby nursing homes, allowing students to plan events, raise funds or grant wishes.
Ford said the Lawrence County branch will focus on the wish-granting program first, then branch into the other two programs.
“I think the timeline will be from six months to a year,” he said of the first wish granting.
In making seniors wishes come true, headquarters will donate roughly $500 per wish, and the difference will need to be paid by the local chapter.
The combined senior care organizations of Lawrence County have been promoting with local businesses, Ford said, and have been receiving much support.
The new chapter is also looking for volunteers to join the program. A meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Ben Franklin Early Learning Center.
“We’re looking for anyone in the community who wants to help out,” Ford said. “The most help we’re going to need is volunteers for coordinating (wishes) and fundraising.”
The meeting will feature a video of previously granted wishes and brocheres about the organization will be provided. Refreshments will be served.
Those interested in volunteering should RSVP by Tuesday to Tom Ford at (724) 991-6704 or tom.ford@reliantsc.com or to Heather Presnar at (724) 658-3729 or linklacounty@gmail.com.
(Email: ncliving@ncnewsonline.com)
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Agency forming to grant seniors’ wishes
- Local News
-
-
Movie Memories, Coming Attractions: Leo Mickey walks down memory lane
Do you remember Leo Mickey? He is, perhaps, the best-known theater manager in Lawrence County history.
-
Movie Memories, Part 5: Once upon a time, the city was filled with nickelodeons
At least three of New Castle’s earliest movie theaters were ravaged by fire. But if you were a patron in those days, smoke might not have been the only smell to send you running into the streets. A fog of perfume might have done the trick as well.
-
Movie Memories, Part 4: Penn Theater remembered for opulence, Leo Mickey’s weekend kiddie shows
When today’s New Castle residents recall the city’s former movie theaters, the Penn may be the most fondly remembered. Built in the 1920s, the Penn “was the first one (downtown) to be built as a full-fledged, deluxe theater,” said Jack Oberleitner, a New Castle native and owner of a cinema consulting firm that bears his name.
-
Movie Memories, Part 3: The Hi-Lander and Cinema theaters were the last two New Castle movie houses to go dark
Although the downtown once was dotted with movie theaters, one of the last to close was well up the North Hill. The 750-seat Hi-Lander opened in 1952, the result of a joint effort by two pairs of area drive-in owners: Al Tate and John Wincek (Highway 51 near Darlington, and John Favorite and Joe Glorioso (Blue Sky near Zelienople).
-
No tax hike in Union school budget
The Union Area School Board has introduced a $10.6 budget with no tax increase. If the $10,585,494 spending plan is approved, it will be the third year without a tax increase in the district. The property tax is at 14.42 mills.
-
Movie Memories, Part 2: Monsters, cowboys and ultimately, sex, were staples at State Theater
Second in a series: Daily through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The State Theater
-
Movie Memories, Part 1: Victor one of many long-gone local theaters
First in a series: Today through Memorial Day, the New Castle News will be looking back at some of the city’s now-defunct movie theaters. These movie houses will be seen primarily through the eyes of New Castle natives with ties to them — including “Mister Movie” himself, Leo Mickey. Today: The Victor
-
Our Opinion: Make the most of your power to vote by casting ballot tomorrow
So what kind of turnout will there be for tomorrow’s primary? Recent history suggests somewhere between low and lousy. This year’s elections are devoted to local races, and there are few major ones being contested in the primary.
-
Relay for Life set for next week
New Castle’s Relay for Life will kick off at 7 p.m. May 31 on the track at Shenango High School’s Glen “Pop” Johnston Stadium. Relay for Life is an organized, overnight fundraising walk for the American Cancer Society.
-
New Castle News names new publisher
Sharon A. Sorg is no stranger to hometown newspapers. It’s no surprise, then, that she’s been selected to lead the newspaper in her hometown. Sorg has been named publisher of the New Castle News, which is just a few miles from her residence in Pulaski Township.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Today in History May 24
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Today in History May 23
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Today in History May 22
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
