What 2,000 Wish Lists Teach Us About Who We Are

By Matthew Goldstein

Sure, the current world offers plenty of reasons to be afraid—to be upset.

But here’s what I see in Columbus: While community need keeps growing, so does the number of people who show up to lend a hand. They are all ages and genders and races. They are bus drivers and finance experts and students. Often, they are the recipients of help, too.

And they show up en masse for my favorite annual event: WISH, a Besa program that invites community members to fulfill holiday wishes for seniors in need. This year, over a thousand volunteers have adopted 2,000 seniors across the community.

Here’s a sampling of senior wishes:

• One woman requested Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli perfume. Her husband, who recently passed, always loved this perfume. She’d cherish having it again.
• Another requested pillows and embroidery supplies. She would love to give back to her friends by making them gifts this holiday season.
• Another woman wants a wig with wavy hair or a long burgundy robe. She would like to look nice for holiday guests.

And here’s a look at a few notes from our holiday heroes:

• “This will be our sixth Christmas adopting a wish list. It’s become so important to our family to give back in this way.”
• “My extended family and I do this in honor of our sister, who loved doing this every year. Please allow us seven wishes.”
• “We are a local Starbucks in the Pickerington area, and our team would love to participate in this event.”

We were able to pair the family who lost their sister with a senior who lost hers. And we matched the Starbucks team with someone who loves coffee and having their neighbors over for coffee in the morning.

This is how we change the world: One thoughtful gift at a time. One food bank volunteer shift at a time. One reminder at a time that for every bit of bad, there’s twice as much good.

Don’t let the world fool you into thinking it’s a terrible place. Because you, Columbus, prove to me every day that it’s not.

And that is the greatest gift of all.

Looking to support seniors this holiday season? Shop the Amazon WISH list to provide essentials to seniors year-round!