Wheaton senior community launches new wish-grant program

A new wish-grant program at the Wynscape Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wheaton has started to provide residents and their families with warm memories on a monthly basis.

The first wish requested through the center's new Sharing Moments program was granted on March 22 to John and Ethel Legg. Ethel asked for a romantic dinner catered by John's Tavern in Winfield, which is one of her husband's favorite restaurants.

A private dining suite was set up for the couple at an independent living building in the Wyndemere Senior Living Community, which includes Wynscape. The Legg family surprised Ethel with a cocktail hour with friends prior to dinner and live violin music played as the two enjoyed their meal.

One highlight of the evening was a show put on by a woodcarver as a tribute to John's lifelong hobby, organizers say. During their 67 years of marriage, John has given Ethel many gifts that he handcrafted out of wood, including a pin made in Ethel's likeness that she still wears.

"At the end of the evening, we believe John and Ethel felt more in love than ever and will hold this as another cherished memory in their wonderful lives together," Jennifer Franck, life enrichment coordinator at Wynscape, said in a statement.

The Sharing Moments committee is now working on a wish for the month of April that was requested by a resident who wants to visit the home where she raised her children.

Fundraising is under way for the wish, which will include a limo ride, a volunteer nurse escort and dinner at her favorite restaurant with her daughters.

Sharing Moments was created to enhance and positively impact the lives of residents, according to organizers. The program has been developed, funded and delivered by the staff and caregivers at Wynscape Health and Rehabilitation. It is also supported by the Wyndemere Foundation and local businesses.