Wish Stories
We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes
Mr. Polan Visits Major Bong Historical Center
Mr. Polan is a 90-year-old gentleman from Delray Beach, FL with an incredible history. Mr. Polan served in World War II in the 9th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group, a well-accredited and valorous division of the Pacific Theater. Following the attack on Pearl...
Ed Races Down Bandimere Speedway
Edward, 78, of Denver, CO, has always had a passion for cars. On the day Ed turned 16, he went out and bought his first car with his dad--a 1938 Ford. Ed has owned over 20 cars throughout his life. Ed’s Wish of a Lifetime was to take his first ride in a Corvette. Ed...
LeAnn Flies High Over the Rockies
LeAnn is an optimistic 66 year old woman from Denver, CO. Her Wish of a Lifetime was to go on a hot air balloon ride. LeAnn recently lost her loving husband after caring for him for two long years. She's new to her older adult community, where she receives treatment...
Jack Spends the Day with Show Horses
Jack P., 84, of Clare Bridge Sarasota in Florida spent the majority of his life showing horses. He grew up on a farm in Michigan and throughout the years has shown many award winning horses all over the country. Unfortunately, due to his health, Jack hasn’t had the...
Susan Attends Boston Pops Orchestra as a VIP
Susan, 67, of Sterling House Richmond of Richmond, IN, has always had a deep appreciation and love for music. There is one group in particular that Susan has always loved – the Boston Pops. It is her Wish of a Lifetime to attend Boston’s 4th of July festivities where...
Vernon Attends the Opera
Vernon has taken on many different roles over the course of his 87 years. He has been a soldier, a translator, a grave registrar, an internationally celebrated inventor, and most importantly a loving spouse and doting father. Recently Vernon rediscovered his love of...
Benny Attends Tigers Game After Being a Lifelong Fan
Benny, 79, of La Palma, CA, is a die-hard Detroit Tigers baseball fan. Benny’s Wish of a Lifetime was to be on the field with the coaches and players of his beloved team during batting practice. Benny served in the US Army for 18 months at a base in Germany as a radio...
Eugene Cruises Through Alaska
Eugene is a lovely 74-year-old-gentleman living in Grand Junction, Colorado who has always wanted to go to Alaska. When he was a young boy, Eugene lived at St. Clarice’s orphanage in Denver, Colorado. While he was there, he made friends with someone who went to Alaska...
Bob Swims With Dolphins
For a number of years, Bob, 75, of Orange Park, FL, has had a dream of being close to his favorite animal, dolphins. Robert has always seen dolphins as incredibly intelligent and independent animals, and has longed to be able to interact with them. Although he has...
Pen Pals Meet After 80 Years
Sadie and Lorraine, two wonderful, 91 year-old pen pals, have been writing each other since 1932. Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale, the two of them met for the very first time on June 14th, 2013. Sadie is an incredibly positive individual. She's one of the...
Marieda Receives a Visit from Family
Marieda is a sweet 85-year-old woman from Augusta, Kansas. Living on a farm in rural Kansas during the depression, Marieda’s mother passed away when Marieda was only seven, leaving her the responsibility of caring for her three younger siblings. Now, at 85, Marieda...
Cecil and Bette Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversary
Cecil and Bette are 82-year-old Brookdale Senior Living residents from Holland, MI. Their Wish of a Lifetime was to celebrate their 60th anniversary in Kansas City, MO. Cecil and Betty met freshman year at Baker University in Baldwin City, MO. Cecil enlisted in the US...
Al Takes the Streets Again in a 1938 Packard Convertible
Albert "Al" is a 93 year-old resident of the Park at Golf Mill in Niles, IL. Al's Wish of a Lifetime was to go for a ride in a Packard convertible like the one he owned over 70 years ago. Al's father used to own a body shop, and Al grew up around cars his whole life....
Four Generations Reunite with Rachel and Jim
Rachel, 90, of Newport Place in Boynton Beach, FL moved away from her family in Louisiana just over two years ago. Since this big move, Rachel was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and has lost a lot of her independence. Her husband, Jim, now cares her for full-time. Back in...
Margaret Shows Off Hats on the Runway Again
Margaret is a sweet, 95 year-old who has always loved being the center of attention. Margaret's Wish of a Lifetime was to have a runway show to stir up old memories of her days modeling hats in New York City. Margaret’s fondest memories are of when she lived in New...
