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Williamsport Home helps residents’ dreams come true

Second Wind Dreams is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of educational programs including its flagship, sensitivity training, the Virtual Dementia Tour.

More than 500 Second Wind Dreams members change the perception of aging through dream fulfillment for those living in eldercare communities nationwide. The Second Wind Dreams program is an opportunity to expose society to the truth that age does not erase hopes and dreams.

The Williamsport Home has participated in the Second Wind Dreams program for three years. Dawnette Shobert, activities director, shepherds the program and enlists everyone she can to help make dreams come true. Following is a list of recent dreams Shobert and the staff of The Williamsport Home have made come true.

Francis Moore, who was a very good bowler all of his life, wanted to go bowling one more time. Shobert contacted the Harvest Moon and told them that morewanted to bowl. He had bowled there for many years. When the owners of the Harvest Moon were told he wanted to bowl, they opened the bowling alley just for him and his family to come and bowl.

Richard Hafer was another bowler, but rather than bowl he wanted to travel to Reading to attend a bowling banquet with all of his old friends. Shobert enlisted the help of the van driver and an aide to drive him to his banquet.

Harold Dapp never attended a race at Pocono Raceway, he always had attended dirt track racing. He told staff he would like to see one more race. Shobert was able to get tickets to a race at Pocono Raceway donated, and Dapp and his son were able to enjoy a great day out. Not only attending the race but going down to the infield to see the cars up close.

Ann Harrison, Lynn Patchin and Donald Marshall are all Steelers fans. Although the dream was to go to a Steelers game the logistics, possible bad weather and the length of the game would have been too hard on the health of the dreamers. So, instead, Shobert came up with the idea of attending Steelers training camp in Latrobe. She loaded up the van with the three residents, Patchin’s son and home staff and went to Latrobe where they watched practice and met several players and got many autographs on their souvenir terrible towels and hats. Patchin’s son was so grateful to spend one last awesome outing with his father enjoying their common interest.

Harrison also was treated to hearing one of her all time favorite players, Hines Ward speak. She later got to meet him and have her picture taken with him. This dream was arranged with the assistance of the First Community Foundation Partnership.

Bill Byham, who was the “Voice of Little League” on the radio for many years was so sad to be a resident at The Home during Little League last year. It was the first time he would have missed calling a game since the early 1960’s. Shobert contacted the radio station and Little League, with their help Byham was in the booth calling a game.

When Jay Livizy was told that his great great nephew (and namesake) would be wrestling his last high school match before going into the Airforce, he very much wanted to be there. Going to Danville does not sound like a big request but when frail health comes into play it becomes a much more complicated request. Needless to say Livizy was there with the rest of his family cheering for his nephew.

Many of the dreams are small compared to the ones listed above. One more swim in a pool on a summer day; a beer or Captain and Coke, a ride in the country where a resident grew up or eating fried potatoes or Pizza Hut pizza. It might be going to the Bloomsburg Fair to pet a dear. It is not the size of the dream, it is granting the desire that counts.

The Williamsport Home and all of the staff are devoted to making the lives of the residents as comfortable, safe and healthy as possible. But they also are devoted to making their residents’ lives as happy and meaningful as possible as well. To learn more about The Williamsport Home visit their website www.the williamsporthome.com or Facebook.

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