You might say that Christy Hiura is part veteran’s champion, part organizer—and part fairy godmother. Hiura is one of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who have helped make nearly 3,000 wishes come true for adults aged 65-plus. These wishes were granted through Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP with a mission to “grant life-changing wishes to older adults and inspire people to redefine aging in America.”
Hiura, a volunteer with Wish of a Lifetime for nearly two years, is deeply drawn to helping veterans because of their sacrifices. She finds working with older adults immensely fulfilling. “They’re a generation that really worked hard, sacrificed, and had hearts for service—whether they were in the military or the moms and grandmas who took care of the neighborhood,” she says. “Our older generation has so many amazing stories, and it just touches my heart. I feel honored to be able to give back to them.”
Today, Wish of a Lifetime has volunteers in every state, who collectively take on the impressive task of granting 275 wishes in 2024. Jared Bloomfield, Director of National Field Operations, emphasizes the essential role volunteers play. Beyond granting individual wishes, Wish of a Lifetime also engages in broader acts of kindness through its Cupid Crew program, which delivers flowers and personalized cards to tens of thousands of older adults in nursing homes, long-term care centers, and assisted living communities nationwide.
The process of granting wishes begins with a submission through the organization’s website. A team of staff and volunteers reviews the request to ensure it meets specific criteria. “We want to make sure we're honoring people that have given a lot back to the world, which have a specific interest in a wish being granted, and who couldn't accomplish their wish without our support,” Bloomfield explains. Within a few weeks of the application being submitted, a representative from Wish of a Lifetime reaches out to gather more details and verify the request. If the wish meets the organization’s criteria, planning begins.
Granting a wish often involves significant logistical challenges. “There is a perception that Wish of a Lifetime is like a travel agency, but it’s so much more than that,” Bloomfield says. Fulfilling a wish might require coordinating with venues, event planners, or volunteers who accompany recipients. “We are creating unique and personalized experiences that take not only a lot of volunteer and on-the-ground support, but also require a lot of information about knowing who the wish recipient is and how to best fulfill the wish,” he adds.
The results of these efforts are transformative, ranging from reuniting loved ones to helping older adults achieve lifelong dreams. Some memorable wishes include reuniting sisters who survived the Holocaust, helping someone experience their first hot air balloon ride, and helping a veteran realize his dream of seeing Mount Rushmore.
Hiura has had the honor of playing a part in fulfilling some extraordinary wishes, such as helping a World War II veteran see his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves, play in their stadium and reuniting a Vietnam War veteran with family members to honor the memories of his late brother, also a veteran.
While each wish requires meticulous planning, the impact is profound. According to Bloomfield, more than 90% of wish recipients report an improved quality of life and a renewed sense of engagement with the world after their wishes are granted.
For more information about volunteering with Wish of a Lifetime or participating in Cupid Crew, visit www.wishofalifetime.org.