Blog Posts

A Wish to go the Zoo

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:39:54 +0000

It was a perfect weather day to enjoy the animals as well as the architecture. Sue had an encounter with Romeo, the black African Rhino and this was the highlight of her day! The zookeeper was very informative about Romeo, explaining to Sue that he weighs 2500 pounds, is 6 or 7 years old and he absolutely loves eating carrots! He even signed an autograph for Sue with his snout. After seeing many animals, enjoying a lunch with Senior Wishes staff, Sue was happy to select a few souveniers at the Buffalo Zoo gift shop. "A day fit for a queen!" Thank you to the Buffalo Zoo for collaborating with us to make Sue's wish come true!

Celebrating Members of the All-Female Honor Flight

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:37:25 +0000

  We partnered with the Buffalo Bisons and Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight to host some of the veterans who participated in the all female Honor Flight last fall. They were recognized with a special on field celebration before the game in honor of National Armed Forces Day and America’s 250th Birthday! Linda Nelson even got to throw out the first pitch! The best part? Seeing all the joy on their faces and hearing the impact it has for them to be recognized for their service. Thanks to the Bisons staff for helping make the day so special!
 

500th Wish Granted!

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:49:13 +0000

 Residents of People Inc.’s Pine Apartments in Lockport are now enjoying a brand-new vegetable and herb garden created especially for their community. This milestone wish was celebrated on a beautiful day filled with smiles, connection, and a special cookout for residents.

 A heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners who helped make this day possible: Niagara Produce, Niagara County Office for the Aging, Crowley Webb Associates, and People Inc.

 This garden is more than just a place to grow vegetables and herbs — it’s a place where community, friendship, and joy can flourish. One wish at a time, we are reminding seniors that you are never too old to dream, hope, and have a wish come true.

Remembering a Senior on Valentine's Day.......

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:58:13 +0000

Each year, we choose a local facility and surprise the residents with Valentine’s gift bags delivered by our amazing young volunteers. This year, we had the pleasure of visiting Elderwood Assisted Living at Cheektowaga, where we walked the halls sharing smiles and heartfelt cheer. Every resident received a special goody bag and a cuddly stuffed bear—and their bright smiles showed just how much it meant to be remembered. ?

A Wish to see Beauty and the Beast.......

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:05:38 +0000

Joan's wish was to go to the beautiful Shea's Theatre and see the production of Beauty and the Beast. We were

happy to be able to grant her wish and provide two tickets so that her daughter could accompany her. This was something

they never would have been abel to do and she was so happy to have her wish come true!

A Wish to take piano lessons.......

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:04:06 +0000

Gloria has always wanted to learn how to play the piano. She did take some lessons for a brief time when she was younger. She was thrilled when her wish came true! Senior Wishes

provided her with a keyboard and she will begin taking lessons this Spring. She is already teaching herself with online tutorials. We love when a senior can re-engage with a hobby!

A Wish to Meet Lindy Ruff.......

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:56:19 +0000

Maxine has been a lifelong SUPERFAN of the Buffalo Sabres. Her wish was to have a meet and greet with Coach Lindy Ruff. Thanks to the Buffalo Sabres we were

able to grant Maxine's wish and more! Not only did she meet and talk with Coach Ruff, but she met several of the players as well. Lindy and several players signed her jersey and she and her husband got to watch a team practice. With tears in her eyes she told us how the morning was "more than I could have ever imagined." A trip to Sabres store completed the day!

A Wish to go fishing on a boat again......

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:17:17 +0000

We had the pleasure of granting a heartfelt wish for Linda, a resident of a care facility, who longed to go fishing on a boat once more. It had been many years since she last held a fishing pole, but her love for the outdoors hadn’t faded. With the breeze on her face and a peaceful ride around Silver Lake, Linda was truly in her element. She didn’t hesitate for a moment when it came time to bait her hook—proving she hadn’t lost her touch! Thank you to Silver Lake Marine, Inc. for assisting us in granting Linda her wish!

A wish to go to the zoo......

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:29:17 +0000

Jean shared in her application that trips to the zoo were once a favorite family tradition, though it had been many years since her last visit. To make the Jean shared in her application that trips to the zoo were once a favorite family tradition, though it had been many years since her last visit. To make theexperience extra special, Senior Wishes coordinated a private meet-and-greet with one of the zoo’s resident chinchillas. Jean also received a gift card for the Zootique gift shop, allowing her to bring a few souvenirs home to remember the day. Jean was accompanied by her daughter, aide and our fantastic Wish Granting Committee member, Ruth. She thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with the animals and reliving cherished memories.

A wish to see Frankie Avalon....

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:38:20 +0000

Elizabeth has always been a big Frankie Avalon fan. When she heard he was coming to Tonawanda, she wanted to go so badly. Senior Wishes was happy to grant her wish. We were able to get hr FRONT ROW seats, and she even got to meet Frankie's son. Elizabeth and her friend had a fantastic time at the show!

A wish to take horseback riding lessons........

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:24:28 +0000

Cynthia always wanted to learn how to ride a horse, one of her favorite animals. Senior Wishes granted her wish with a series of riding lessons.

Our First Century Club Member!

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 19:29:36 +0000

Harold, a WWII Army Veteran, turned 100 in June, 2024 and became the first member of our Century Club! Our Century Club recognizes any senior turning

100+ in our five county service area. Harold, a huge Yankees fan, was thrilled we wer able to get him a jar of dirt from the Yankees pitching mound!

Our 450th Wish Granted!!!! A Wish to go to the Zoo again.....

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:30:04 +0000

Kaye was celebrating an upcoming "80 something" birthday and her one wish was to visit the Zoo! Thanks to our terrific volunteers, she was able to spend the entire day at the zoo

and even got a behind the scenes experience with a few of the residents! We also provided her with a gift card so she could shop at the Zoo Boutique.

Kaye meets a chinchilla!

Our FABULOUS volunteers!

Kaye's Docent!

"It was a fantastic day that I'll never forget!" said Kaye.

Senior Wishes gifted Kaye a new animintronic dog on her birthday! They immediately began talking to each other!

A Wish to sit on a FARMALL Tractor .............

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:41:32 +0000

Sometimes a wish isn't grand....Don had one wish......he hadn't sat on a FARMALL Tractor since he was 9 years old, when he used to help his neighbor. He hoped to get back on one of these shiny red tractors one more time. With the assistance of many volunteers, we found someone who collects FARMALL tractors in Elba, NY. Mr. Torrey opened the doors to his barn and pulled out the tractor Don wanted to sit on. His family was there to witness the wish come true and Don shared many stories he recalled. He was only nine years old when the neighbor let him drive the tractor out on the main road down to his farm! Since he couldn't reach the pedals, they had to modify it so he could stop and go! He didn't recall his parents being too concerned that he was driving a tractor on the road.

We loved seeing the toy tractor museum Mr. Torrey has. Such a walk down memory lane for all of us! Don and his wife also enjoyed a few gifts from Senior Wishes....FARMALL mugs, a miniature tractor and a book on the FARMALL dyanasty!

A Wish to Ride a Horse Again.....

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:29:00 +0000

Peggy's wish was to be able to ride a horse one more time. She expressed her wish to the listening ears of Jim, staff member at Elderwood Assisted Living in Hamburg. Jim contacted Senior Wishes to see if this was something we could help make happen. We were delighted to take part in this wish granting and meet this wonderful woman. With the fantastic assistance of Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center, we made this wish happen one beautiful summer morning. "It was amazing! said Peggy after her ride. Her advice to other seniors? "Don't just sit around. Get up and do things that interest you." We think that's great advice! You are never too old to have a wish come true!

400th Wish Granted! A Wish to go fishing out on the lake!

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:11:41 +0000

Our 400th Wish was granted in August, 2022, to Daniel, who was nominated by staff at Elderwood at Cheektowaga. On a beautiful August day, a few family members joined Daniel as he fulfilled his dream to go fishing on Lake Erie once again.

A happy, memory-making day was enjoyed by all, but most of all, Daniel was able to hold the fishing pole in his hands once again and feel the breeze on his face while out on the water. We thank Excalibur Leisure Skills Center for their assistance with this wish granting.

We believe you are never too old to re-engage in a hobby! Thank you to all of you who support Senior Wishes so we may continue to bring joy to our seniors and remind them that they are not forgotten!

A Wish to go to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

Mon, 08 May 2023 16:52:54 +0000

Years ago, Rae and her husband would attend the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Show together. Since his death, she had

been unable to go. Her wish was to attend a holiday show with her friend Nadine. We were happy to give them tickets to a December performance

followed by dinner afterwards at Pasquale's Restaurant. We were so happy to grant Rae's wish and bring her some happy memories.

A 100th Birthday Celebration for Gertrude!

Thu, 04 May 2023 19:38:54 +0000

We recently helped Gertrude celebrate her 100th Birthday! Her wish to have a special meal on her actual birthday was delivered to her, along with flowers, a favorite dessert and sparkling cider.

We wanted her to feel special! She was excited to have a departure from frozen meals and to know there would even be leftovers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GERTRUDE ~ "100" looks good on you!

A Wish for a Chess Set

Thu, 04 May 2023 19:51:06 +0000

Mr. W. is in a care facility in Williamsville. We had visited him a few weeks ago to bring him some much needed clothing and personal care items, and at that time we learned of his love of chess. He was smiling ear to ear as we surprised him with two books written by Bobby Fischer and a brand new chess game! He kept asking, "What did I do to deserve all this?" This sweet man gave us an open invitation to come back and play chess with him anytime and we might just have to take him up on that!

A Wish to see the Yankees play in person!

Thu, 04 May 2023 19:33:47 +0000

Cheryle, a life-long Yankees fan couldn't belive her beloved team was going to be playing right here in Buffalo! She wrote to us saying she'd LOVE the opportunity to see them play "one more time." It had been many years since she had seen them in person, but she watches every game on tv. She had "one of the best nights of my life" watching the Yankees take on the Blue Jays and score a win for her! Highlighting the night was opening a gift from the NY Yankees - an autographed baseball from Cheryle's favorite player DJ LeMahieu! She kept asking, "Is this real?" WE LOVE BRINGING JOY TO OUR SENIORS!

A Wish to Celebrate turning 100 by dining out!

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:44:12 +0000

Josephine celebrated her 100th birthday enjoying dinner with a few family members at the Como Restaurant. She was born in Sicily, and traveled to Canada alone at age 30. A year later she married and moved to the US as her husband was from PA. A dedicated mother of two, with five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, she is still an impeccable housekeeper at 100! Spending time with family is the most important thing in the world to her, and we were thrilled to provide this opportunity! Josephine also landed on the Smuckers Jar and our Volunteer, LaDonna, put together a beautiful scrapbook of 'everything 100' for her to enjoy.

A Wish for a cd player and books on cd

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:23:17 +0000

Beverly's eyesight is very poor and she can no longer read her beloved books. Her wish was to have a cd player and some books on cd so that she could hear her favorite authors once again. We were thrilled to bring her this new cd player and basket of books on cd's. She was so excited that she would be able to press play and enjoy a book again.

A Wish for books and crafts

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:18:10 +0000

Khalimah loves to read and do crafts. She was particularly interested in trying needlepoint. We were happy to drop off this basket filled with books, needpoint kits and other items to help her stay busy while she is staying at home. She was thrilled with everything and said, "Can i start jumping up and down?" She was going to work on the embroidery that night!

National Senior Citizens Day Celebration

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:44:57 +0000

This year our annual ice cream social to celebrate National Senior Citizens Day was held at Westchester Park Senior Apartments. Of course, it was a 'little' different than in previous years, but how can you not smile when you are going to have ice cream! Residents had the opportunity to choose any ice cream they wanted from Chilly Billy's ice cream truck and everyone went home with a goody bag.

Activity Bags for the Seniors at Crestview Apartments!

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:56:04 +0000

Though our wishes are not as grand as they were a year ago, we are still finding ways to bring joy to seniors. We were happy to provide activity bags to all the residents at Crestview Senior Apartments in Warsaw. We filled them with table puzzles, word find books, craft kits and an assortment of other treats to keep their minds active.