Leaders

Item Description

Wish of a Lifetime was established by two-time Olympic Skier, former NFL football player and Colorado native Jeremy Bloom, with a vision to initiate a cultural change by granting Wishes to deserving seniors throughout the nation. At WOL we believe that most seniors have one thing in their life that they have always wanted to do or experience. Through WOL and with your support, we will make those wishes come true, contributing to an American cultural change that honors and celebrates the lives of our elders. #wishconnect

About the Mask Signer: In 2008, Jeremy Bloom founded Wish of a Lifetime as a tribute to his beloved grandmother, Donna Wheeler. Jeremy’s grandparents played a significant role in his life – his grandmother Donna lived with them as he was growing up, and his grandfather Jerry taught him how to ski when he was three years old by throwing candy bars down the mountain slopes.

Later, as a member of the United States Ski Team, Jeremy had the opportunity to travel around the globe for ski competitions. While in Japan for one of his first World Cup competitions, he witnessed a small act of kindness that would stick with him forever. Jeremy was riding near the back of a very crowded bus when an elderly woman approached the doors. Just as he was wondering how the woman could stand in the packed bus, everyone in the front immediately rose from their seats, helped her aboard, bowed to her and made sure she was seated comfortably before the bus moved forward. At 17, Jeremy was struck by this commonplace demonstration of respect—something that he had rarely seen in the U.S.

For the next seven years, he witnessed countless other acts of kindness and respect for elders all across Europe and Asia. Jeremy founded Wish of a Lifetime in order to bring that same culture of respect to the United States. “I have been very fortunate in my own life to have had the ability and the resources to chase every dream that I have ever imagined, and I am honored to start an organization that will help others do the same.”

Jeremy achieved success on the ski slopes as a two-time Olympian and eleven-time World Cup gold medalist, as an All-American Football player for the University of Colorado and later in the NFL, and most recently in the business world as the co-founder and CEO of Integrate. He founded Wish of a Lifetime on the premise that senior citizens should be respected, honored, and aided in our society.

About the Mask Artist: Hannah Pedersen is a Colorado native and currently the Events Assistant at The Denver Hospice for the duration of the Mask Project 2016. Hannah learned at a very young age that she loved creating things whether it be paintings, DIY projects, and more recently, films. Her aunt has taught her everything she knows about painting all while supporting her various creative endeavors. She is a recent graduate from Johnson & Wales University and is slowly discovering her life’s calling. She is an animal lover, a pizza eater, a constant laugher and a traveler at heart.