Wish of a Lifetime

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Wish of a Lifetime

Together, we can change the story of aging, one inspirational wish at a time.

WOL was established by two-time Olympic Skier, former NFL football player and Colorado native Jeremy Bloom, with a vision to initiate a cultural change by granting Wishes to deserving seniors throughout the nation. At WOL we believe that most seniors have one thing in their life that they have always wanted to do or experience. Through WOL and with your support, we will make those wishes come tru

e, contributing to an American cultural change that honors and celebrates the lives of our elders.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is not a celebration.

It is a sacred pause.

A day to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. A day to honor the futures they never got to live, the families forever changed, and the sacrifices that continue to echo across generations.

For Liz, Memorial Day is deeply personal.

Her brother Vic was killed while serving in Vietnam. He was her best friend, her protector, and someone she loved fiercely. Decades later, Wish of a Lifetime had the privilege of helping Liz stand before the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where she traced her brother’s name etched in stone and spoke it aloud during the Reading of the Names ceremony.

Because remembrance matters.

Not only in grand ceremonies, but in quiet moments. In stories shared. In names spoken. In lives remembered.

Today, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we hold space for the families, friends, and loved ones who carry that loss every day. 💜

05/22/2026

Some dreams wait quietly in our hearts for years, never asking to be forgotten.

For Helen, that dream was the feeling of freedom on the open road.

At 95 years old, after a lifetime of raising four children, showing up for her family, volunteering in schools, and pouring so much of herself into the people she loved, Helen still held onto one wish of her own.
Years ago, she got a short motorcycle ride, but it wasn’t the experience she had imagined. The thrill wasn’t there. The rush wasn’t there. It wasn’t the moment she had carried in her heart all those years.
But she never stopped hoping.

So when the chance finally came, Helen said yes.

Dressed in riding gear, sunglasses on, and smiling like a little girl about to experience something magical, she climbed onto a Harley and took in the open road around Lake Harris, the wind on her face and the joy she had waited so long to feel. Along the way, friends gathered to cheer her on, celebrating a moment that was so much bigger than a motorcycle ride.

As we continue honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Helen’s story is a beautiful reminder of the strength, resilience, and joyful spirit that shape generations.

Because sometimes the dreams we hold onto the longest become the ones that warm our hearts the most when they finally come true. 💜

05/16/2026

National Armed Forces Day is a reminder that behind every uniform is a story of courage, sacrifice, and service.

For Mel, that story began at just 17 years old when he made the decision to enlist in the Navy, determined to serve his country before the United States had even officially entered World War II.

On December 7, 1941, Mel found himself at Pearl Harbor as history unfolded around him. What began as an ordinary day quickly became one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. Mel spent days helping extinguish fires, digging trenches, and assisting with recovery efforts, sustaining injuries that earned him a Purple Heart.

But Mel’s story did not end there.

Decades later, at 93 years old, Wish of a Lifetime had the profound honor of helping Mel return to Pearl Harbor, this time surrounded by the family he built and the generations he wanted to teach.

Because honoring service is about more than remembering history. It is about preserving the voices of those who lived it.

This National Armed Forces Day, we honor Mel and every service member whose courage has shaped our nation. ❤️🤍💙

05/10/2026

Mother’s Day can hold so many emotions.
Love. Gratitude. Longing. Regret. Hope. ❤

For Natasha and her mother Roslyn, it also held something they never thought they’d have again: another chance.

The two spent 30 years estranged, separated by life’s hurts and the silence that slowly grew between them. But as Roslyn’s vision began to fade at 92 years old, mother and daughter both realized the same thing at the same time:
They didn’t want to lose each other forever.

One phone call changed everything.

After years apart, Natasha traveled to reunite with her mom for the first time in three decades. Their reunion was filled with tears, long hugs, healing, and the kind of love that never truly disappears, even after years of distance.

This Mother’s Day, we’re holding space for the families whose stories are complicated, tender, and still unfinished. Because sometimes the greatest gift is simply getting one more chance to say, “I love you.” 💙

With support from GHC Housing Partners, Wish of a Lifetime was honored to help make Natasha and Roslyn’s reunion possible.

To read the full reunion story, click here: http://spr.ly/6185BBqw77

05/08/2026

She hadn’t been back to her home country in more than 60 years. 🌸

As a little girl, Sherry left Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Hawaii with her family, carrying memories of cherry blossoms, family gatherings, and her grandmother’s love with her across the ocean.

Life moved forward. Sherry built a career fighting for fairness and equality. She cared for her mother through dementia. She opened her home to help raise her grandsons during a difficult season for her family. Through every chapter, she gave so much of herself to others.

But a piece of her heart never stopped longing for home.

When Wish of a Lifetime from AARP helped Sherry return to Japan, it became so much more than a trip. Surrounded by blooming cherry blossoms, reunited with family, and soaking in the peaceful waters of a traditional onsen near Mt. Fuji, Sherry found something she had carried quietly for decades: a sense of belonging.

“When I got there, it was like I was home,” Sherry shared. “My body, my heart, my mind… they all remembered it.”

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re reminded that our roots stay with us. The places, cultures, traditions, and people who shape us become part of who we are forever.

“It’s not about work, or career, or money,” Sherry said. “It’s about the people you love.”

And sometimes, going home reminds you of that all over again. ❤️

04/27/2026

🗽This April, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, alongside Vital Life Foundation, marks the 10th Journey of Heroes trip—a milestone built on stories, service, and shared moments of reflection.

Today, 16 veterans from the Pacific Northwest and their companions are traveling to Washington, D.C., gathering to honor their shared history.

In August, veterans and family members from all 10 Journey of Heroes cohorts will reunite, continuing a connection that extends far beyond a single journey.

10 trips later, it's an honor to uplift those who gave everything to serve our country. 🇺🇸

04/24/2026

Some of the most powerful moments start with people who choose to show up.

Before Donald’s wish even began, Christy and a group of volunteers were already there, waiting with signs in hand, cheering, smiling, and creating a welcome he never expected.

It was a simple act, but it meant everything.

After a lifetime of service, Donald was used to being the one who showed up for others. But this time, volunteers showed up for him, surrounding him with energy, appreciation, and care.

“I was really excited and thankful. I was really kind of stunned. It was so much more than I anticipated.”

This is what volunteerism looks like. Not just helping behind the scenes, but creating moments where someone feels seen, celebrated, and deeply valued.

During National Volunteer Month, we are so grateful for Christy and every volunteer who brings this kind of heart into what they do. You turn small moments into something unforgettable.

If you feel inspired to be part of moments like this, you can learn more about volunteering here:
http://spr.ly/6189BBG2cf

04/23/2026

On Earth Day, we’re reminded that caring for our planet often begins with something simple. A seed, a garden, a moment of curiosity. 🌱

For Joan, that love started in childhood, planting flowers alongside her grandfather and learning to care for the world around her. Decades later, that same passion continues to grow.

At 81, Joan wished to learn more about sustainable gardening and water conservation. With support from Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale Senior Living, she visited one of the largest rooftop gardens in the world at Facebook headquarters. There, she explored nine acres of thoughtfully designed green space and learned from experts about conserving water and protecting natural resources.

“I didn’t realize it was going to be that big and beautiful,” Joan shared. “It was wonderful to see how carefully everything was cared for.”

Her story is a reminder that it’s never too late to learn, to grow, and to continue caring for the world around us.

04/20/2026

When the playoffs begin, there’s nothing quite like the energy inside a hockey arena. The noise, the pride, the shared love of the game. It’s something that stays with you.

For Susan, Roslyn, Mary, and Ernest, that feeling came rushing back the moment they stepped into a Chicago Blackhawks game. Each of them carried a lifetime of memories tied to hockey, from watching at home to catching glimpses of games and hoping for the chance to return one day. For some, it had been years. For one, it became a first-time experience shared with a great-grandson, creating a new generation of fans in real time.

Thanks to a partnership with the Blackhawks, they experienced the game together from a private suite, received personalized jerseys, and even had the chance to meet alumni Denis Savard. What mattered most was being back in the place where their love for the game began.

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway, it’s a reminder that hockey is more than a sport. It is connection, tradition, and moments that bring people back to who they have always been, and who they can still be.

04/17/2026

Experience. Toughness. Composure.

Just in time for the NBA Playoffs tomorrow, Dee K. reminds us that age isn’t a limit. It’s an advantage. 💜

Address

303 East 17th Avenue Suite 850
Denver, CO
80203

Website

http://www.wishofalifetime.org/, https://wishofalifetime.org/links/

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