Helping those on our care continue cherished family traditions is one of the ways Northern Illinois Hospice Foundation’s “Wish” program makes a difference. Granting a wish for someone on our care is made even sweeter when we can partner with a business in our community to accomplish it. This is just what happened when Don “Wally” Walraven told his Northern Illinois Hospice Care Navigator, Linda Baumert, BSW, that he would like to go to Edwards Apple Orchard one more time.

Edwards Apple Orchard is a family business that is built around creating fun fall memories, drawing families back year after year. When Northern Illinois Hospice reached out to the Edwards family, asking if they would help us fulfill a patient’s wish, their response was an enthusiastic “yes.”

Wally visited Edwards Apple Orchard along with his wife, Jackie, and members of his Northern Illinois Hospice care team. They were greeted by Andy Smith, grandson of founder Robert Edwards, who gave everyone the red-carpet treatment, allowing Wally to select items from their store, treating the whole group to fresh apples, their famous apple cider donuts and more.

Wally estimated that he had been visiting Edwards Apple Orchard for 23 years, but this most recent visit was something special, an experience that only happened because Edwards Apple Orchard went above and beyond to make his day. As Wally was finishing eating his apple pie, he said to Andy, “I know one thing: you guys have spoiled me.”