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Give someone a gift this Christmas that changes lives!

Give a donation of $50 or more for a WWII veteran or a senior and we'll send them a huge chocolate bar with a letter of your contribution in their honor.

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If we can grant a wish for your WWII veteran friend or family member, please contact us.

Forever Young Senior Wish Organization

Our mission is to honor senior citizens by helping them fulfill their dreams and to give them hope for the future.

Forever Young's primary purpose is to reach out to nursing home residents, assisted living facilities, hospice programs, home-bound individuals, and adult day care facilities - regardless of age - to help make their dreams come true.

Forever Young's secondary purpose is to honor requests from our elders, (generally 65 years and over) regardless of where they live, providing they (or a friend/family member)are willing to help make their wishes come true.

USS Utah Survivor Returns to Pearl Harbor

Mr. Swift Robert Swift, 23, was below deck on the USS Utah at Pearl Harbor wrapping souvenirs and writing Christmas cards to his family in Tennessee when he heard a loud commotion. It was an early Sunday morning and the men had just finished breakfast and were looking forward to a day of relaxation. Many sailors had gone up top to sunbathe and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian sun, so the men below were confused by the loud, disturbing noises. Robert ran up to the deck and saw many sailors lying around - shot and lifeless. The commander told the men to get below, so they would be safe. However, torpedo and Japanese fighter planes had simultaneously attacked the USS Utah, so they didn't realize the severity of the situation. As the sailors began to gather in a lower compartment, the water rose rapidly. Mr. Swift said, "We realized we were in trouble when the water got waist deep, so we ran out of there like a bunch of drowned rats." The ship turned on her side and sank in 8 minutes. Like many sailors, Mr. Swift swam through the oil fires to the shore to survive. Robert Swift's wish was to return to Hawaii to be reunited with his ship and fallen comrades. The USS Utah still lies on her side, and just like the USS Arizona, contains the remains of those sailors who perished there on December 7, 1941. Read the story here.

View more videos about this story:

  • Mr. Swift tells his story to Channel 5 News: View
  • His story was featured on the Navy Channel: View (Requires Windows Media Player)
  • Channel 3 News has a story about Mr. Swift: View (Requires Windows Media Player)

Categories of Wishes

  • Life-long dream - e.g. fly in a WWII airplane
  • Fun-filled wish - e.g. get a makeover and go to dinner
  • Memory wish - e.g. be reunited with a childhood friend
  • One last time wish - e.g. visit the family farm one last time
  • Needs-based wish - e.g. get a walker with a seat on it

Founder and President - Diane Hight

Diane and Greg Hight
Greg and Diane Hight

Jefferson Award Logo

Diane is a 2008 recipient of the Jefferson Award, the Nobel Prize for public and community service. Click here for more information.
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Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a hope and a future."