Not that long ago, in 2003 to be exact, a group of caring women founded a
nonprofit, charitable organization because they wanted to grant the wishes of
elderly residents who were on a limited income.
At the time, these women,
Betty Wetmore, Rose Esposito, Robbie Juliano, Tammy Murphy, Eileen Denny, Laurie
Kendall-Ellis and attorney Susan Nobleman, based their idea on Paul Newman’s
Make A Wish Foundation, and they thought that seniors would request things like
presents or trips for family members and grandchildren.
Instead, their
hearts have been touched by how in need so many local seniors are and the wishes
have been for medicine, dental care, tires or fuel for the car, eye glasses and
home repairs. Some of the wishes have been provided by helpful sponsors such as
the Eye Center, Prezioso Dental, Arden House, Elite Landscape and
others.
In 2009, 43 individual wishes, (with a cost of no more than $300
each) for a total of $10,126.41, were granted with 100 percent of the donations
going directly back into the community.
The Hamden Senior Wish Society is able to grant almost every wish it
receives, and the process is a fairly simple one. To be eligible, you need to be
a Hamden resident, 60 or older, with a maximum annual income of $20,000 for an
individual or $25,000 for a couple.
Of course, wish requests are vetted
by a board of directors and representatives from Elderly Services and the
Community VNA in order to ensure that both wishes and the individuals are
sincere and bona fide.
The Hamden Senior Wish Society believes that
wishing is sharing hopes, and in order to thank seniors for their contributions
and acknowledge their value to our community, there is one major fund-raiser a
year. This year, it is a Wine Tasting and Auction on Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m.
at the Laurel View Country Club on Shepard Avenue in Hamden. Tickets are $25,
with company sponsorships at $250, which includes two event tickets and
recognition in the program book. Tickets, auction donation items and “wish”
application information may all be gotten by contacting Betty Wetmore at
203-376-9677 or Robbie Juliano at 203-980-3054.
What a wonderful way to
enjoy a pleasant evening with neighbors while helping to brighten a senior
resident’s day.
On a completely different topic, but one I feel strongly
about, I was dismayed to hear Gov. Romney during the first presidential debate
say that he would cut PBS funding. No matter what your political affiliation,
voices need to be heard on behalf of this valuable public channel.
I
think funding for all the arts needs to be increased, not cut, as has been the
trend in recent years. When my children were small, I knew as long as they were
watching Channel 13, I didn’t have to monitor what they were seeing and when Mr.
Rogers was on, I watched with them.
Contact Jean Cherni, certified senior adviser for Senior Living Solutions and Pearce Plus, a helpful, full-service program for seniors contemplating a move, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at 101 Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.
