AARP has joined forces with the charity Wish of a Lifetime to help older adults fulfill their lifelong dreams. Since its founding in 2008, Wish of a Lifetime has made over two thousand wishes come true.
“By bringing Wish of a Lifetime into the AARP family, AARP believes that its important work can reach more people—both those who want to give help and wish applicants—and ultimately combat the negative effects of isolation, strengthen social ties and intergenerational connections, and help wish recipients achieve a lifelong dream,” said AARP Executive Vice President and COO Scott Frisch. “AARP has long worked to empower people to choose how they live as they age, and by joining forces, we want people to know it’s never too late to dream—regardless of their age.”
Recent wish recipients include:
Marguerite Miller, 92
As a 12-year-old, Miller survived the Nazi invasion of France in 1940 and worked alongside her mother to hide Allied pilots downed over her homeland. Her experiences fueled a lifelong aspiration to skydive, which Wish of a Lifetime helped her to fulfill.
Bertha Nunn, 87
Nunn’s family caregiving responsibilities took priority over her childhood dream of being an actress. Through Wish of a Lifetime, Nunn got to appear in a television commercial for Crest toothpaste. She said of the experience: “When we get up in age, we’re just thrown away. But this is something we can do in our 80s.”
Salvatore Reale, 90
The Bronx native and retired firefighter, now living in Florida, has been a Yankees fan since 1936. Wish of a Lifetime helped Reale return to Ladder 136, his old fire station, which honored him for his service. Then, he threw out the first pitch at a Yankees game.
Wish of a Lifetime from AARP accepts wish nominations at wishofalifetime.org.
This article was provided by AARP.
