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Dear Supporters,
As many of you know, my retirement will become official in July. As the founder of Senior Wishes, I have spent the past 13 years pouring my heart into a mission dedicated to bringing joy, comfort, and connection to older adults throughout our community—one wish at a time.
What began as a simple wish-granting program grew into something far greater than I ever imagined. Along the way, we expanded our efforts to include Simple Wishes for the Holidays, our Veterans initiatives—HERO Boxes and Lift a Vet—the Remembering Seniors on Valentine’s Day celebration, and the Century Club. Together, these programs have touched countless lives and reminded seniors they are valued and not forgotten.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who stood beside me throughout this journey. To every volunteer who generously shared their time, every donor who believed in our vision, and every partner who helped us navigate both challenges and successes, thank you. Your kindness, trust, and commitment have been the heartbeat of Senior Wishes. To our part-time staff, committee and board members, thank you for the countless ways you've contributed to our mission and to me personally. Your dedication and support have helped turn our vision into meaningful action and have made a lasting difference in the lives of the seniors we serve.
As I step into this next chapter, my heart is filled with gratitude. This program was founded to celebrate aging and build a community rooted in compassion, hope, joy and action. Together, we transformed an idea into a living mission that has brought comfort, dignity, and happiness to so many seniors and Veterans in Western NY.
The opportunity to lead this mission has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It has been an extraordinary adventure filled with laughter, love, tears, and countless unforgettable moments. I carry with me the stories, smiles, and friendships of hundreds of Western New York seniors whose lives have touched my own in ways I will never forget.
While I am retiring from my leadership role, I will never retire from believing in the mission of Senior Wishes and I look forward to remaining involved as a volunteer and watching the organization continue to thrive. I am thrilled to pass the wand to Maureen Gorski and I leave knowing that the future is in capable and compassionate hands.
Sincerely,
Wendy Miller Backman, MSW
Executive Director
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