Senior Wish Program Wishes That Came True
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Senior Wish Program Wishes That Came True The Foundation is proud to feature Senior Wishes that have come true across the state of Oregon thanks to those working in long term care and to OESF and its supporters. If you have conducted a Senior Wish you'd like featured, please Share Your Story with OESF. Shirley’s Sternwheeler Cruise Click on individual pictures to view larger “I feel I am still living the wish”, exclaimed teary eyed Shirley a week after her big day. Despite having various chronic health issues, this beautiful (inside and out), aging soul always puts the needs/wants of doing for others on the top of her daily to do list. She may be making sure her peers at the social center are getting their needs met (and will do what she can to assist them), she may be making wonderful scarves to be gifted as “just because” gifts, or she may be going around table to table greeting each individual with a huge smile and warm greeting…what a true lady Shirley is. When asked, “why the Sternwheeler?” Shirley responded there were two reasons. First, this was something that she and her daughter, Carol had always wanted to do so why not take this amazing opportunity to go? And secondly, Shirley told a brief story of a woman she once knew who had lived in France not far from the Eiffle Tower. The woman never took the opportunity to see this glorious landmark even though it was so closer to her. Shirley then stated, “The Columbia River is one of the most beautiful and historic rivers…this was my Eiffle Tower!” Shirley then gave some words of wisdom expressing that we should all enjoy the beauty that is all around us and stated if tourists come to visit these places in our backyard, we should certainly go and enjoy them as well. Shirley’s team at Cully ElderPlace thank you with our whole hearts in making this wish come to life for our very charming and grateful role model. Special thank you to Dennis Corwin, Ercel, Captain Tom Cramblett, & Cruise Director Brenda of the Portland Spirit, Holly Itami Springfels and Kimberly Walker of Kern Park Flower Shoppe, and to Petra, Maureen & her daughter, Penny, Kelli, Tami, Stephanie, Nancy, Georgia, Connie, and Shirley’s daughter, Carol who made up “Team Shirley”. Address: 2330 Debok Rd., West Linn, OR 97068 Web: www.oesfonline.org Phone: (503) 210-4053 Connect with OESF on and to join the conversation online. Betty Lou’s Music Man Wish Click on individual pictures to view larger Betty Lou is a much loved 81 year old woman here at Cully ElderPlace. Unfortunately, in the last several months, Betty Lou has weathered some very difficult moments/losses that have made the brighter side of life harder to see at times. In the face of this adversity, Betty Lou continues to wear her heart on her sleeve and to keep her witty sense of humor within her alive and well. She is the most spirited when she is dancing, talking about going to a musical performance, playing a game of chickenfoot with her peers, or when she is being able to give and receive love and affection. It is this spirit that we put special intention on to give Betty Lou a day out to see one of her favorite musicals, Music Man, and to eat out at a Chinese restaurant (another favorite that makes her eyes twinkle!). With Betty Lou being the guest of honor, it is our hope she feels truly special, loved, and adored by all those around her. Thank you all for making this wish come true: Vera Rojas with Broadway Rose Theatre Company for donating a ticket for Betty Lou to attend the show, Bil Basso Mayer (from Lifeworks NW for driving and being a great chauffeur), Linda Fogerty of Linda’s Beauty Shop for a pampering haircut and style, and Laurie Barrett, a Cully ElderPlace nurse who made beautiful custom jewelry for Betty Lou to wear on her big day. John’s Night at the Etta James Tribute Show Click on individual pictures to view larger John is a very special 84 year old man, and with John’s physical decline, some days there are very few things that can get him to wake up/perk up. However, music will get him alert and tapping his foot every time (especially jazz and classical music). This Senior Wish definitely put a smile on his face and had him “drumming” (via hand, silverware, and salt and Address: 2330 Debok Rd., West Linn, OR 97068 Web: www.oesfonline.org Phone: (503) 210-4053 Connect with OESF on and to join the conversation online. pepper shakers) the whole show. John also didn’t mind the special attention he received from the powerful and beautiful ladies who performed at Jimmy Mak’s for the Etta James Tribute show. Rewinding back to the beginning of this wish….John had put on his new outfit and looked at himself in front of a mirror and expressed, “Wow!...don’t let me out roaming!”. Along the side of his daughter Linda, and granddaughter Stephanie, as well as several staff/volunteers from Cully ElderPlace, this charming man had quite the evening out on the town. Thank you to all of the generous businesses and individuals who helped make this wish come true including: Target who provided a new jazzy outfit for John’s big night out, Jimmy Mak’s for treating the special guests to the show as well as dinner and drinks, Laurelhurst Florist for the beautiful boutonniere, Bil from Lifeworks NW for driving and being a great chauffeur, and Maureen Buell for the finishing touch of a great hair cut for his night at the show. Laurelhurst Village Resident Fulfills Lifelong Dream to See Harlem Globetrotters On the morning of February 22, Laurelhurst Village resident Patti Donatini's smile was bigger than usual. Nancy Harbick, Activities Director at Laurelhurst, had organized a meet and greet before Saturday's Harlem Globetrotters show for Patti, a quiet resident with a big heart, whose long-time dream has been to see the Globetrotters in person. Harbick had known of Patti’s interest in the Globetrotters, so when she saw on TV that they would be at the Moda Center, she contacted them to see if they would donate tickets for Patti and a couple of guests. They agreed immediately. Upon arrival at the Moda Center, Patti, her twin sister Paula, and brother-in-law Vince waited backstage for the players to arrive. Patti’s eyebrows rose when she saw the players walking down the hall towards her. They greeted each other and took pictures. One player, Prince Johnson, slid a red, white and blue sweatband on Patti’s wrist and told her he’d wear one to match hers during the show. The meet and greet was short and sweet, and it left Patti with a huge grin throughout the rest of the show. Special thanks to the businesses who helped this wish come true: Metro West for providing transportation to and from the show, Serenity Hospice donated several bouquets of flowers. Lisa Schroeder, owner of Mother's Bistro & Bar, who invited Patti for a dinner after the show. Read full story in the Oregonian Joyce and Lou Participating in 2013 Portland AIDS Walk Address: 2330 Debok Rd., West Linn, OR 97068 Web: www.oesfonline.org Phone: (503) 210-4053 Connect with OESF on and to join the conversation online. Click on individual pictures to view larger Joyce and Lorna (we know her as Lou) are two of our Cully ElderPlace participants and both of these women are wonderful, compassionate, and charismatic-with great senses of humor. Unfortunately they also have in common the harsh memory of both losing one of their sons to HIV/AIDS (both sons were in their 30’s when they passed). Both Joyce and Lou were very active in support and education groups during their younger years around the topic/culture of AIDS and helped many families during this hard time. For this wish, we have formed a team (Cully’s Proud Mommas) to participate in walking in the 2013 Portland AIDS Walk to honor both of their sons, Steven Schlitt and David Fee. …as the winds picked up greatly on the last .5 mile of the walk, we gave the option to our ladies to end the walk early and get them warmed up…they both insisted on participating in the full length of the walk. Joyce and Lou are truly two very proud (and honoring) mommas. Special thanks to the following supporters who helped make this wish come true: Larie Thomas and Sandra Hetzel with Latitudes who donated 25 custom made t-shirts for the team, Rodger Marks and Alicia from Walgreens who donated 3 custom made signs for “Cully’s Proud Mommas” to carry at the walk, Bil Mayer with Lifeworks NW who volunteered to drive the team bus. Cully’s Proud Mommas Team Members: Lou Schlitt, Joyce Fee, Kelli Erickson, Brendan McGrath, Carolyn Basham, Cathy Clark, Debbie Davis, Conrad Hamilton, Erica Knepper, Jennifer Keltner, Kate McGray, Larry Miller & furry companion, Nancy Kriet, Neal Roginski, Petra Bahr, Rika Bering & furry companion, Ryen McGrath, Sandra Hetzel, Sara Migliazzo, Stephanie Feezer, Susan Trezise, Bil Mayer, Penny Schlitt & furry companion, Lori Schlitt, and Linda Last but certainly not least, Our Team Contributors: Robin and Johnny, Shirley Basham, Peter Mak, Jamie Fugate, Danielle Trevino, Jason Ackerman, Carl Brody, Ellen Garcia, Joseph Diers, John Panosh, Marilyn Caudill, Mark & Jill Erickson, Cece Dispenza, William Evans, Erin O’Reilly, Brittany Sale, Daniel Yohannes, Kelly Von Bargen.