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Dixie Appenzeller
Dixie was born and raised in Colorado. She is a wonderful mother of 7 and a grandmother of 19 children. She loves the cold weather and shamefully admits she has never skied but she could not afford the expensive ski equipment. Back in the days, she enjoyed sled riding
She believes a person who has moved to Colorado must do three particular things before they move on: learn to ski, go to a Bronco's game, and visit the Denver Art Museum. Dixie is an art lover and has passion in music. When Jeremy asked her what her wish is, her response was very simple: a season pass to the symphony.
Dixie has an Associate Degree in Women's Studies. She was a counselor at Volunteer of America before she became a Foster Grandparent. Volunteer work plays a very important part in Dixie's life; she believes that no one is too old to do what their heart tells them to do.
It is really fulfilling for her to help grant the wishes of others. She admits she has all of her wishes fulfilled - good education, happy family, and peaceful living - and now it is time for her to make the wishes of others come true. As a loving mother, devoted grandmother, and a caring teacher, she truly believes she has a wonderful life.
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In Loving Memory of Pam Bard
Jeremy Bloom and Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime will always be indebted to Pam Bard for her tremendous contribution to the creation of this organization. She provided guidance, passion, resources, support, humor and friendship to JBWOL. She will be greatly missed by all.
About Pam: Originally from the Binghamton, NY area, Pam grew up in Long Island. Her sister Colette still resides on Long Island. Pam graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Sociology in the 1987 and worked as a paralegal for many years. Pam was a member of the Foster Grandparent Program at the VOA Colorado for over 6 years and was known as Grandma Pam. She loved animals, the environment, cats, children, long drives, knitting, crochet, creating cards, training horses, training dogs and leading/following others. She left two grown children and four grandchildren, all in the Denver area.
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Lucy Gallegos
Lucy Gallegos was born and raised in Ignacio, CO. She is the mother of two daughters and grandmother to six grandchildren. Lucy says, "I feel blessed to be able to spend time with my amazing grandchildren, following them around to watch them play their sports and other activities". She is retired but currently spends her time volunteering 20 hours per week with elementary school children through the Volunteers of America Foster Grandparent Program.
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Jeanette Going
Bio forthcoming...
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Rosalie Hermosillo
Rosalie Hermosillo was born in Des Moines, Iowa and prior to moving to Colorado in the 50's, lived in Maine and Mississippi. Rosalie was married for 25 years before her husband passed away and has three beautiful daughters, Kathy, Holly and Rachel.
Rosalie attended Red Rocks Community College for 2 years and then worked as an E.D.D.A. at Porter Hospital and in private practice. Rosalie has been serving as volunteer tutor for the past 7 years. Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime provided Rosalie the opportunity to visit the gravesite of her oldest daughter.
From Rosalie: "Jeremy Bloom brings much joy and needed help to many seniors. It is an honor to be a board member. Jeremy Bloom is one in a million, his heart is for the senior who has a Wish of a Lifetime. P.S. I'm still looking for my soul mate."
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Nancy Tarpein
I was born Nancy Lee Prescott on July 22, 1935 in Wellington, Kansas. I went to thirteen schools before I was out of the eighth grade. I did not finish my high school because one night I awoke to hear my folks discussing their finances, and then heard mom say they would keep my sister out of school for two years while I finished high school. My dad told her she could not get away with that and she said because my sister had had rheumatic fever she could convince the doctor to help by claiming my sister would benefit from not attending school. My knowing how cruel children can be on a child that is behind their peers in school, I immediately told my parents that I wanted to quit school and get a job; even though that was the furthest thing from what I wanted. I started out working all sorts of minimum wage jobs.
Later I moved to Oklahoma and married and raised two children. Moved back to Colorado in 1974 and married again in 1980. My second husband Fred, who died in 2002, was my soul mate. Fred died in November, 2002. All my life I worked minimum wage jobs. Until in 1988 I was forced to retire on Social Security. I have had fourteen surgeries on my right leg alone besides numerous other surgeries.
In 1995 when I turned 60 years old I became a Foster Grandparent. I can truly say I have done very little in my life that is as satisfying as the last 14 years working with underprivileged children. In 2007 I asked to fill out a questionnaire that asked if I could do anything I wanted what was my greatest desire and I wrote that I would go to Arizona to visit my daughter who is fighting cancer. Little did I know that questionnaire was for the Jeremy Bloom Wish of a Lifetime Foundation and in October 2007 I spent three days with my daughter. What a glorious visit with my family. I am forever grateful to the Foundation and anyone else who granted my wish. By the way, my daughter is still fighting her battle. I pray every day that she is winning her battle but only Our Father knows for certain.
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Jack Taylor
Jackson Taylor got involved with Jeremy Bloom's Wish of a Lifetime after seeing firsthand the important work the foundation does. He was honored to accompany his brother-in-law Milt Mapou to the WWII Veterans' trip to Washington D. C., and joined the Senior Board shortly thereafter. He is dedicated to assisting the foundation in any way possible.
A veteran himself, Jackson Taylor joined the Marine Corps and was headed to Korea when the peace agreement was signed. He was briefly stationed in Japan and then returned home to attend college, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for IBM for nearly 30 years, which took him from his hometown Columbus, Ohio to plants in Kentucky, Minnesota, and Colorado. Jackson enjoyed his work at IBM and is especially proud of his involvement in helping to create the IBM Selectric typewriter.
Jackson recently relocated back to Colorado with his lovely wife of 57 years, Marge Brooks Taylor. They enjoy spending time with their two grown sons Michael and Jack, who also live in Colorado, and with their two-year-old grandson John Henry. Jackson also loves to fish, and Marge loves cooking and quilting.
Jackson is no stranger to volunteer work. His son Matt, now deceased, started Project Open Hand in Columbus, Ohio, which fed homebound people living with AIDS. Jackson and his wife carried on the work started by their son Matt, and when Project Open Hand merged with Meals on Wheels, they continued volunteering with them until they moved back to Colorado in June of 2010. Jackson served on the Board of Advisors for Project Open Hand and Meals on Wheels. In addition to serving on the Boards, he was involved in the preparation of food, the delivery of food, and fundraising for both organizations.
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Jeff Wise
Jeff was born in Maryland but raised in West Virginia. He is one among three children.
He has graduated from high school and has passion for teaching. Currently, he is tutoring middle school kids in science, math, and history.
He has a son who works as an auto mechanic. He admits his son is really busy. He has three loving grandchildren who sometimes ask their grandfather to help them with their school work. In his free time, he enjoys gardening and decorating.
As a senior himself, Jeff understands the needs of other seniors and is committed to helping them achieve their dreams. The idea of helping and giving back has always been with him. He is deeply touched by the lives of others and personally committed to being involved with the JBWOL.
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