• Kathy Peterson
• Tricia Gill
• Cate Scott

Kathy Peterson, Volunteer Intern

I have always had a strong kinship with seniors from an early age. Although I had grandparents growing up, we lived out of state and I had to make the most of our annual visits. My grandparents from my father’s side came over from Germany but passed away when I was young. I learned after their passing about their dramatic entrance into American citizenship: In his eagerness to get to America, my grandfather jumped off the ship when he spotted land and swam to shore! I think I compensated for missing these treasured stories by having other seniors in my life, visiting nursing homes as a teen and then, as an adult, bringing my own children to nursing homes to form meaningful relationships and to recognize the value of these great mentors in our community. Fortunately, I did have a wonderfully close relationship to my other grandmother and was able to hear many of her stories spanning 94 years of her life.

I was drawn to Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Lifetime after watching how my father embraced his senior years with a passion: spending time with grandchildren, traveling all over the world and nurturing long standing friendships. I’m absolutely honored to help in any way to grant these well- deserved wishes to seniors with stories we can all treasure for a lifetime!

Tricia Gill, Volunteer Intern

My first experience with working with the elderly was as a Candy Striper at a nursing home. A girlfriend was going to start volunteering there and asked me to go along. We were both 14, she lasted about a month, I stayed for 2 years. I loved the stories many of the residents had to say about their lives.

As my dad’s mother aged I started spending more time with her. I loved the family stories and after I moved from St. Louis to Denver I would always make a special trip to see my Grandmother whenever possible.

While I was in Denver an older friend from church broke her hip, needed round the clock care and spent her last years in a nursing home. I went to see her at least once a week, took her out to dinner once a month after church, and was asked by the nursing home if I could spend extra time there visiting with other residents that were without loved ones to visit them. I spent about 3 years visiting there, until all those that I visited with had passed away.

I came to Wish of a Lifetime when I was told there was an opportunity to be a volunteer. I have loved every minute of being here, and hearing all the wonder stories of the senior that have had their wishes granted. I hope I will have the privilege of being involved with this organization for a long time to come.

My picture is with my friend Ted. He is the father of my dearest friend, and I have known him for about 13-14 years. He is a WWII vet who served in the Army Air Force from 1942-1945 as a bomb loader in the Philippines, Okinawa and New Guinea. I get to visit him on a regular basis and hear his stories. When I told him what I wanted pictures for he was happy to be included. When asked what his Wish of a Lifetime would be, his answer was “a great steak” I think we can make that wish come true.

Cate Scott, Volunteer Coordinator

I was lucky, however, to have my Great Aunt Frances who raised my father. She had no children of her own, so suddenly having to raise 2 young boys was quite a challenge. Aunt Nanny (that's what my brother, sister and I called her) was quite a character - incredibly smart and feisty. She lived to the ripe old age of 99! I saw her about 6 months before she passed away - she was still living in her home in Lynchburg, VA, still having her evening "toddy" and still telling great stories. She lived a rich and exciting life - doing things in her lifetime that women just didn't do back then. She was an avid fisherman, traveled extensively to exotic locales, drove a big old car until she was well into her eighties and was a stock market whiz. She was a grand lady - generous to her neighbors and friends. I remember one Christmas when I was very, very small going around with her delivering Christmas food baskets to those less fortunate. We also gave out shiny new pennies to the children in those households; a penny bought several pieces of candy back then and the fact that the pennies were brand new and shiny was even better. Aunt Nanny loved telling stories and she had some great ones - she was around when the Wright Brothers took their first flight and lived to see us put a man on the moon. She was alive to see 20 different U.S. Presidents. Pretty amazing!

Aunt Nanny would love what Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime is doing. Celebrating the rich, inspiring lives of our seniors is a wonderful mission. I've always loved being around older people and their infectious vitality, so when I learned recently about the JBWOL mission, I had to get involved. The staff, interns, volunteers and board are inspirational - they work tirelessly and believe absolutely in what they are doing. I am both humbled and proud to be a part of this team which is helping to change America's views on the aging and enrich lives, one person at a time.

We are always looking for more volunteers to help us fulfill the JBWOL mission. As Volunteer Coordinator, I hope you will contact me and consider volunteering some of your time to help us in our quest.

A Big Thank You to Our Past Interns