July 6, 2004, The News Sentinel, Play inspires man to create foundation that fulfills wishes of those in nursing homes

By Robert Spruck

of The News-Sentinel

His wish was to help others.

And now the answer to Bob Haverstick's wish - Never Too Late, an Indianapolis-based foundation that has been granting the wishes of residents in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and adult day-care centers for the past 4« years - is quickly approaching wish 550.

The idea for Never Too Late came to Haverstick while he was watching a play, "Touching Lives," at the University of Indianapolis.

The play's protagonist visited nursing homes; he wasn't just about making millions, as were other characters. He wanted to help people.

"I thought to myself, 'Wouldn't it be neat to do something like that,"' said the 56-year-old Haverstick. "It all was started with one basic wish."

Never Too Late's mission is similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children with terminal or life-threatening medical conditions.

While most of the wishes for Never Too Late come from the elderly, Haverstick said the organization helped one depressed young boy wounded by a gunshot meet wrestling personality and movie star "The Rock."

Haverstick's first opportunity came in January 2000 in a much smaller, but no less significant, request.

A woman at Miller's Senior Living facility in Indianapolis asked for new clothing so she would feel comfortable participating in group activities there.

The woman received five new outfits - one for each day of the week - through donations and some of Haverstick's own money.

Today, care centers in Indianapolis, Richmond, Mitchell Manor, Seymore and Fort Wayne all grant wishes. Haverstick's goal is to spread the word to every care center in the state.

"Hopefully, it's a part of my legacy, and (nursing homes) are taking it to a bigger and better place," Haverstick said. "Everyone is so busy on (a) daily basis, but they are willing to commit extra time, and I'm very impressed."

Monti Montgomery, the administrator at Kingston Care Center in Fort Wayne, said he was inspired by a presentation from Haverstick at the Indiana Health Care Association's spring conference. Montgomery said he has watched the organization grow in just the past few months and can see the potential it holds.

"The state of Kansas wants to . . . start it statewide," Montgomery said.

"It's a lot bigger than just Indiana. Soon enough people will speak of Never Too Late like Make-A-Wish."