Mother and daughter work to honor seniors

"There are lots of people who want to discard seniors and feel they are not useful and helpful in the community anymore," said Muzzy, 60, who became the Arizona regional director of the national foundation in 2006.

"They forget seniors have paved the way for us to be where we are today, and we want to continue to empower and inspire them so they still have hope and know there are still good people in the world."

As regional director, Muzzy has worked with local hospitals, social workers, hospices, community organizations and others to honor the elderly by granting individual wishes and providing nursing-home and Veterans Affairs hospital holiday celebrations for more than 200 seniors throughout Arizona.

Nationally, the group has fulfilled more than 1,000 wishes since its inception five years ago.

The wishes run the gamut from issues affecting quality of life — such as hearing aids, lift chairs and dentures — to wishes that give grantees a chance to experience past joys such as playing in the snow or riding alongside local police officers.

"Shining Moment" wishes have included riding in a motorcycle sidecar and getting a visit from Lute Olson. Smaller wishes are as simple as receiving a banana cream pie, a prayer service or a warm winter jacket.

The program was designed for seniors 68 and older and long-term nursing-home residents with no savings who aren't able to fulfill their own wishes.

Unlike other wish-granting programs, Twilight Wish recipients need not be terminally ill. They must be able to formulate, communicate and experience a wish and have a documented history of contributing to others through community service, volunteering, military service or other work.

"These are the people who were the working poor and never had the money to save for a vacation or were always giving to someone else who was sick or taking care of their kids," Muzzy said. "The Twilight Wish Foundation remembers these seniors' work, influence and kindness and tries to give them at least a smile in return and memories for a lifetime."

Muzzy has worked with seniors locally for years and witnessed that need firsthand through her business, Adult Assisted Living Referral and Placement Service.

The foundation also is promoting and distributing DUTY (Diner Unexpected Thank You) cards, which encourage people to treat seniors to a free meal.

The cards are inscribed with the words "Thank you for everything you have done for others over the years. Know that we remember and care." People who see a senior dining can pay for the senior's meal, then give the card to a food server. The server then gives the card — either signed or anonymously — to the recipient.

"Though they may not know who picked up their meal, they know there are kind people in the world who want to help with no ulterior motive," Muzzy said. "Lots of that generation are very proud and don't like to depend on people and don't want handouts, so we try to do this in a respectful way."

The foundation is all about respect, according to Mach, 40, who helps her mother with clerical duties and coordinating the 25 volunteers.

"There are so many organizations for children, but there isn't much out there for seniors," Mach said. "People helping people — isn't that what it is all about? At some point in time we all need something."

How you can help

Learn more about the Twilight Wish Foundation

The Twilight Wish Foundation will hold an information session at 1:30 p.m. Monday at TMC Senior Resource Center, 1400 N. Wilmot Road.. For more information, call 749-0392.

For more information on the all-volunteer non-profit organization and programs such as DUTY cards, or to make a donation to be directed toward granting wishes for seniors, visit the Web site www.twilight wish.org, send an e-mail to AZ@twilightwish.org or call 749-0392.

Donations may be mailed to 12040 E. Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749.