Stephanie Berger, president/co-founder of Silver Wishes Inc., holding a wish box wants to grant one-time wishes to seniors age 65 and older living in Placer County, including Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Carmichael and Fair Oaks. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - A local non-profit, Silver Wishes, is helping to impact the lives of seniors “one wish at a time.”

Stephanie Berger, president/co-founder of Silver Wishes Inc. seeks to grant one-time wishes to seniors age 65 and older living in Placer and Sacramento counties, including in Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Carmichael and Fair Oaks which will impact their lives “today, tomorrow and moving forward to help ensure that they feel known and valued,” she said.

Every senior has a unique story, she said, and every granted wish reflects the means to cope with the challenges they face.

And as people age, many seniors face challenges which if left unattended, can then leave them feeling isolated, overlooked or without a purpose.

Sometimes a wish fulfills a lifelong dream; other times, it simply removes an obstacle that allows a senior to live with greater dignity, comfort and hope, Berger said.

Berger was inspired by her time volunteering with Make-A-Wish Foundation to create Silver Wishes, a non-profit which could bring hope and make a difference in the lives of seniors by granting them a one-time wish to make their lives better.

She is a published children’s author, serves on the board of directors for the Lincoln Community Foundation and has volunteered for Seniors First, a non-profit that helps to deliver Meals on Wheels.

While Silver Wishes grants a wide variety of one-time wishes, the organization does not provide cash, pay bills, replace roofs, purchase vehicles or provide housing assistance.

Each wish nomination is thoughtfully reviewed by the board of directors each month, and while every request is considered with compassion, not all wishes are feasible for the organization to fulfill.

Anyone can nominate a senior for a special wish to be granted, she said.

“We’re hoping to increase public awareness about Silver Wishes and how it may help seniors who may apply.”

Beginning Aug. 1, Silver Wishes will launch its 21-Day Giving Campaign, culminating on National Senior Citizen Day, Aug. 21.

Granted wishes generally fall into three general types: mobility, health and wellness and something personal or a joy-filled experience, Berger said.

“These can include a wish for a walker, scooter or a wheelchair which can help with everyday activities, but most importantly bring back a sense of independence and dignity.”

“Someone else may ask for help to overcome a safety hazard around the house, membership to a sports center, or a resource which can help reduce their stress and anxiety which can truly change one’s outlook on life,” she said.

Other wishes may include a yard makeover, help to reconnect with a loved one or merely the opportunity to get pampered.

“All of these are examples of wishes that can help lift spirits and just let a senior know they are valued,” she said.

“At Silver Wishes, we believe hope has the power to change lives. Research has shown that hope plays a vital role in emotional and physical well-being as we age, helping people navigate illness, overcome obstacles, and find strength during life's most difficult seasons. That's why every Silver Wish is about so much more than fulfilling a request. Whether it's restoring independence, improving safety, creating meaningful experiences, or simply reminding someone they matter, each wish is designed to restore hope, dignity, and human connection,” Berger said.

Think of the dandelion effect. A wish inspires volunteers, donors, businesses, families and neighbors to care for one another, creating a ripple of compassion that strengthens the entire community.

“Just as a single dandelion seed carried by the wind can take root and flourish, one act of kindness has the power to spread far beyond a single wish,” she said.

And because when one senior then feels seen, valued and remembered, the impact reaches far beyond that one life, Berger said.

The local community is invited to celebrate the seniors who have shaped our lives by making a gift in honor or memory of someone special.

By acting together, Silver Wishes hopes to ensure more seniors in our community feel seen, known and remembered, one wish at a time.

Donations can be made at www.silverwishes.org

For more information or to make a donation call 916-287-7172, email: [email protected] or visit: silverwishes.org.