ZELIENOPLE — Viola Young, 86, has served others all her life. She took in more than 300 foster children and 20 senior citizens in her younger days, in addition to raising four children of her own.

It was a delighted Young's turn to be on the receiving end of goodwill Sept. 20, when the Evergreen Nursing Center resident was fitted with her first hearing aids at Avada Hearing Care Center in Zelienople.

The devices were free, thanks to Twilight Wish Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes for senior citizens.

Tom Ford, director of the New Castle chapter of Twilight Wish and admissions director at Evergreen Nursing Center in Harmony, said a Twilight Wish committee member coordinated the effort that saw Young receive the hearing aids. He said Young's daughter, Betsy Simpson, filled out the application for the wish.

Ford said when he read Simpson's application, he was struck by all of the charitable acts Young carried out over the years even though she faced many hardships of her own.

“She put others first, so it's nice to give back to her,” Ford said.

Young was amazed at her new hearing ability after Dr. Paula Sandoe, Au.D., inserted and activated the tiny devices.

“I always put God first, and I feel he sent these wonderful people to me,” Young said. “I thank each and every one of them. God bless them all.”

Ford then presented a certificate and bouquet of flowers to Young, who was emotional over the event.

“I'm not used to anybody doing anything for me,” said Young, who worked as a licensed practical nurse in her day. “I feel that it's not real.”

Young said she will be able to hear the bingo caller better now, and will not be forced to ask everyone to speak up or repeat themselves. She also looks forward to hearing every word spoken by her pastor on Sundays.

“You deserved something special,” a beaming Ford said as he handed her the bouquet.

Sandoe is thrilled that Young's ability to communicate and interact in her surroundings will be greatly improved with the hearing aids. She said Young likely struggled with hearing loss for at least 15 years.

“It's so wonderful to allow her to be able to hear better and improve her quality of life,” Sandoe said. “She'll probably be surprised at what she can hear when she gets home.”

Like-minded folks in Butler County are restarting a Twilight Wish chapter, which closed down three years ago.

Jean Bowen, a program specialist at the Center for Community Resources in Butler, said she and a small group of her fellow Butler Marketing Group members decided about three months ago to start up a chapter and begin granting wishes to county seniors as soon as possible.

She explained that to be eligible for a wish, seniors must be at or below 200 percent of the current federal poverty level, and must be at least 68 years old or living in a nursing home if younger.

She hopes the business owners in the marketing group will pitch in and help grant wishes that pertain to their organizations.

“It brings the community together, too, to grant these wishes,” Bowen said.

Various levels of wishes are available to seniors, who can apply for anything from having a ramp installed at their home, to flying across the country to visit their hometown.

“Sometimes it's the things that brought you joy in the past and that you want to go back and revisit,” Bowen said of the wishes.

How to help

To help fund the wishes, the Butler Chapter of Twilight Wish is holding a Bountiful Bingo event from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Lyndora American Legion hall.

The event will include a luncheon and several prize baskets worth $100 each.

Participants will play games of bingo to win the baskets.

Various vendors' products also will be available for perusal.

Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and can be purchased by calling 724-290-1791 or 724-431-3732. E-mail requests for tickets can be sent to deb1957@zoominternet.net or jbwvufan1@aol.com.

More information on Twilight Wish is available at www.twilightwish.org.

To apply for a wish from the Butler chapter of the organization, call Jean Bowen at 724-431-3732.