Feb-March 2006

Words from the "Wish Boy"

Welcome to the third issue of the Never Too Late Wish Report! Thanks to Exact Target (the premier E-marketing company in the country), Never Too Late has the capacity to send broadcast e-mail messages to over 1,000 people simultaneously.

Someone once said that when we learn to say a deep passionate YES! to the things that really matter, then peace begins to settle onto our lives. Hallie Bryant (former Harlem Globetrotter and now professional speaker) uses YES! to reaffirm every positive thing that happens during the course of the day. 

We at Never Too Late have several reasons to say YES! since we last communicated with you in January. Was the Silent Auction a smashing success? YES! Thanks to the almost 200 people who attended the event on February 9th and purchased all but a handful of the 150 items donated for the cause.  We once again extend our heartfelt gratitude to the folks at Alliance Home Health Care, Buchanan Group, Grandview Pharmacy, Hearth Management and Kindred Healthcare for underwriting the total costs associated with this super successful event. 

Was February a banner month for wishes? YES!  For the first time ever in our six year history of making wishes come true for the elderly and terminally ill adults, we actually achieved our goal of fulfilling a wish a day!!!  That calls for another resounding YES!

Do we have other unique things in the works to help further our cause of bringing some joy into the lives of those who tend to end up forgotten by a fast paced world?  YES!

 

Bob Haverstick, Founder, Never Too Late

p.s. Should you elect not to receive this E-newsletter in the future, just let me know and we'll take your name of our mailing list.
Wishes in the Works
  • We are still trying to "connect the dots" to make a dream come true for 90-year old Agnus M.  She would like to go back to New York City one more time (while her health still permits her to travel) to see a Broadway play.  Over the past four decades, she has dedicated her time and talent to producing and directing plays for churches and non-profit organizations to raise funds for their causes. Let us know if you want to get involved with this wish by covering the cost of airfare to NYC from Indianapolis, or helping to take care of the hotel costs while she is in NYC with her daughter and surrogate daughter.

  • In the 1930s, Tom H. and Alan S. became pen pals.  Tom lives in Indiana and Alan lives near Melbourne, Australia.  They have faithfully corresponded with one another these past 70 years, but have never met face to face.  At age 86, health concerns would prevent either from visiting the other in his country.

The "Plan B" approach is to bring them together via a video conference.  We have established contact with Connor & Associates in Indianapolis.  They will waive their hourly room rental fee.  We need for someone to search the Internet to find a public video conference location in Melbourne to see if that company will donate their room rental rates as well.  Let us know if you are willing to invest the time to help bring these two octogenarians together (in a manner of speaking) .

Please consider contributing to these and other wishes by visiting our donations center at: http://www.nevertoolate.org/Donations.htm or you can send a check or note ( if you have frequent flier miles ) to Never Too Late, 8538 Tidewater Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

Remember, NTL is a registered 501c3 public charity and your contribution may be tax deductible - please check with your tax advisor.

 

Recent Wish - Number 900!

Never Too Late began with one wish in January of 2000 and at the end of February 2006, we reached a milestone:  WISH 900!!!  This special wish came from Michigan for 73-year old Barbara M., who happens to be an avid Detroit Red Wings Hockey fan.  The wish was brought to our attention by one of her hospice caregivers.  Barbara's wish was to meet (or talk with) Manny Legace, the goalie for the Red Wings.  On February 25th, Barbara's wish came true - Manny Legace called her and they had a nice long chat.  Barbara felt incredibly honored that Manny would take the time (especially during hockey season) to call her.  According to the hospice caregiver, Barbara was still "glowing" hours after the call was complete - plus - she was feeling better than she had in a very long time!  This was definitely a "YES" wish!!!

 

1,000th Wish Celebration

At our current rate of wish fulfillment, we should hit Wish Number 1,000 by late summer or early fall and we want to have a celebration.  The Never Too Late Board Members have come up with some good ideas, ranging from having 1,000 elementary and high school students going into long term care facilities and their communities to find one wish per student, to having a Wish Party for past wish recipients, their relatives, caregivers and wish sponsors.  Since over 1,000 of you receive this E-Newsletter (thanks again to Exact Target), we are asking for your input on how best to celebrate this path we have been on - "touching lives" - for an incredible six (going on seven) years.

 

Current ( and Unique ) Fundraiser

The New Palestine High School Business Department is conducting its seventh annual "NP-Bay" online charity auction during the months of February through May of 2006.  This year Never Too Late is the charity of choice for this rather unique fundraising event.  If you want to learn more about NP-Bay and how these amazing Computer Applications students have managed to raise over $20,000 for different charities in the past six years, then visit our website:  www.nevertoolate.org.  Then click onto "New Palestine HS Holds NP-Bay Auction To Raise Funds For NTL!"  You may find something you want to bid on and buy!! 

 

More Wishes Needed

Just a reminder - we need for you to become a "wish finder" and bring us a wish for an elder treasure or for a terminally ill adult. February was a YES! month for us, but we want to keep the momentum going - all the way to that 1,000th wish (and beyond). 

Submit your wish request by clicking here.

Once you get involved with one wish and see the joy you bring to someone's life, you will be "hooked" with a "helper's high" and want to become a regular "wish finder".

 

 

If you have any comments about this E-Newsletter, or any questions about Never Too Late, please visit our website at http://www.nevertoolate.org or send an email to Bob Haverstick at stick47@aol.com.

 

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