AARP Hearing Center
Wish of a Lifetime (WOL) wants to honor those who have served.
The mission of the group, a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020, is to grant long-held wishes to deserving people who cannot achieve their dream themselves. WOL has made more than 2,000 wishes come true since its founding 14 years ago.
Jared Bloomfield, WOL’s director of field programs, told AARP Veteran Report that about a quarter of wish recipients have been veterans and he wants to step this up.
“It is absolutely paramount that our amazing veterans step forward and share their courageous journey with us,” he said.
Here’s what veterans and their families need to know about Wish of a Lifetime.
What sort of wishes are granted?
Wishes should “have a true and deep amount of connection to them,” Bloomfield said. WOL helps the recipient overcome financial, aging and logistical challenges.
WOL doesn’t send people on vacation, buy them technology or home furnishings, or help them find a job. WOL stays focused on making moving, selfless, lifelong wishes come true. WOL also doesn’t create experiences that people can create by themselves.
Recipients must be at least 65 and live in the United States.
How can a veteran apply?
WOL makes submitting wishes easy. People can submit the wish request online or print and mail an application. Wish recipients can submit the application themselves, but often it is prepared by a relative, friend or caregiver.
Questions include:
- What makes this wish meaningful to you?
- How will the wish inspire others?
- Why are you unable to fulfill this wish on your own?
- One section asks what the wish recipient has done to give back to the community. Veterans are invited to respond with details about their time in uniform.
