
Sandra Gordon, 80
Meet Sandra, 80 years young, who has spent most of her life on Prince Edward Island. While her roots run deep in the vibrant soil of her homeland, she has always harbored a dream—to explore the island from tip to tip. Despite calling this beautiful place home, Sandra has never had the chance to fully discover its wonders. A dedicated nurse and mother, Sandra has faced many challenges, including caring for her husband through his battle with cancer. Now, at a stage where she hopes to pursue her own dreams, Sandra finds it difficult to drive and faces numerous health challenges that made fulfilling her dream impossible. Recognizing Sandra’s lifelong dedication, we reached out to Pauley Charter and Adventure Tours to help make this wish come true where Sandra embarked on a memorable journey!

Joan Boutilier, 81
Joan Boutilier, 81, has always been a pillar of her community, known for her selflessness and deep love for her family. But there’s one wish she’s held close to her heart for years: to meet Canadian musician Alan Doyle. A lifelong fan, Joan's dream came true this summer, when she had the chance to meet Alan at the Shore Club in Hubbards, Nova Scotia. In a heartwarming moment, Joan shared her admiration for his music, and Alan’s kindness made the encounter even more special. For Joan, this was a dream come true—a moment that will stay with her forever.

Anna Nicholas, 71
Meet Anna, a spirited 71-year-old from the We'koqma'q First Nation, whose lifelong wish has been to meet her stepson, Mark. For over 15 years, she and her late partner, Alfred, searched for him, but their efforts ended tragically when Alfred passed away in 2014. After discovering that Mark had been seeking his father as well, they connected online, sharing the bittersweet news of Alfred's passing and igniting hope for the future. With support from We Are Young, Anna took her first flight to British Columbia to finally meet Mark and his family, fulfilling a dream that brought her joy and renewed purpose.
Ruby Snyder, 85
Meet Ruby, 85, who has always dreamed of visiting a lighthouse. In 1965, while living in Newfoundland, Ruby caught glimpses of lighthouses but never had the chance to explore one up close. Raising four children and supporting her husband kept her busy, leaving little time for her own dreams. Ruby’s dream resurfaced during a conversation with her daughter, Jasmin. She shared her wish to stand atop a lighthouse and take in the view. Jasmin, determined to make it happen, reached out to We Are Young for help. Kincardine, on the shores of Lake Huron, became the perfect place. The lighthouse’s white exterior with a red roof mirrored Ruby’s vision. Despite arthritic knees, Ruby was determined to climb the steps, savouring every moment.

Garry Alderdice, 79
Meet Garry Alderdice, 79, a dedicated Occupational Health and Safety professional who spent his career implementing workplace safety across Atlantic Canada. For over 30 years, Garry cherished time at his fishing camp on Tangier Grand Lake with his two fishing buddies, Earl and Michael. However, health struggles over the years have kept him from being able to access his favorite spot, dimming his once-bright spirit. Garry’s heartfelt wish was to fly over his fishing camp one last time with his friends. Thanks to Vision Air, his wish came true, reigniting his joy and resilience. In Garry's words, "We Are Young has given me a ‘Lift on Life,’ reminding me to live fully every day.

Dorothy King, 78
Meet Dorothy King, a spirited 78-year-old from Nova Scotia, whose lifelong dream has always been to see the Canadian Equestrian Team jump at Spruce Meadows. This wish is intertwined with cherished memories of watching the events with her mother on TV, whom she cared for as a young adult. After the passing of her close friend Blanche, who had plans to celebrate her 100th birthday with a helicopter ride, Dorothy felt an urgent call to pursue her own dreams. Through the support of We Are Young and Spruce Meadows, Dorothy's wish was fulfilled, allowing her to witness the North American Tournament and meet the equestrian team. As she sat in the stands, tears of joy filled her eyes, knowing this moment honored her mother’s memory and marked the realization of a long-held dream. This experience has profoundly transformed Dorothy, renewing her spirit and reminding her that it’s never too late to embrace life’s possibilities.
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Audrey Parker, 90
Meet Audrey Parker, 90, from Uxbridge, Ontario, who recently fulfilled her lifelong dream of exploring Nova Scotia. Growing up with mustard sandwiches and a challenging home life, Audrey found escape in ballet. At just 11, she persuaded a local studio owner to let her take ballet classes in exchange for cleaning, igniting a passion that would lead her to become a ballerina with the Toronto Ballet School. Her Nova Scotia journey included seeing the Atlantic for the first time and attending the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo—a tribute to her family's Air Force legacy.

Normand MacDonald, 71
Meet Normand MacDonald, 71, a New Brunswick native who has always dreamed of mastering the art of artisanal cheese-making. Growing up in Moncton, Normand took on family responsibilities early, later joining a Trappist Monastery where he discovered his passion for the craft. Life led him through diverse careers as a nurse, florist, and pastor, yet his love for cheese-making never faded. After a recent health scare reminded him that “tomorrow is never guaranteed,” Normand’s dream was fulfilled at Fromagerie Les Blancs D'Arcadie, where he experienced the full cheese-making process. Normand’s journey shows that dreams are achievable at any age!

Carole Coulson, 81
Meet Carole, 81, from Waterloo, Ontario. For years, her greatest wish has been to ride a horse again. Captivated by horses since childhood, Carole finally owned her own horse at 29 and dedicated her life to helping others through her passion for these animals. A devoted single mother, she prioritized her children’s needs, putting her dreams on hold. In 2017, a catastrophic stroke changed everything, leaving her partially paralyzed and unable to speak. Despite the challenges, Carole's love for horses remained strong. With support from We Are Young and Pride Stables, Carole fulfilled her dream of riding again. She hopes her story serves as a powerful reminder to others: never stop praying or dreaming—regardless of age, ability, or circumstances, because with help, including the right community support, dreams can truly come true.

Joanne Perry, 73
Meet Joanne Perry, 73, a spirited adventurer whose love for the skies has shaped her life. A former Air Force member in the UK and daughter of a WWII fighter pilot, Joanne shares her passion for flight with her youngest grandchild at the Discovery Centre’s flight simulator. Now facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, Joanne’s wish was to take one final flight in a helicopter, joined by her three beloved children. Thanks to Vision Air Services Inc., her dream came true, creating a cherished family memory. Joanne’s life motto, “wake up grateful and don’t waste any moments,” inspires us all to fully embrace each day.

Clinton (Buddy) Murray, 83
In the depths of his sorrow, 83-year-old Buddy Murray's lifelong dream came true. At a live NHL game, he watched his beloved Montreal Canadiens face off against Sidney Crosby, his hockey idol, alongside his grandson. The experience ignited a joy in Buddy, a lifelong fan, that hadn't been felt in ages.

Linda Mulock, 70
Linda's dreams often took a backseat to her selflessness. A wish to witness a Broadway play in New York City remained quietly tucked away, a desire she rarely shared, not wanting pity for unfulfilled dreams. Now, because of our incredible community, Linda's unspoken yearning came to life and she was able to receive the full Broadway experience that led her to the main stage of Wicked where she graced the stage alongside their cast. Linda's eyes filled with tears, not of sorrow, but of overwhelming gratitude, as the spotlight finally turned to illuminate a woman whose selfless endeavours have made her a beacon of inspiration in her community and beyond.
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Melanie Elliott, 76
Melanie Elliott, 76, has had a lifelong dream to soar through the silent skies over the Annapolis Valley, where her family's roots run deep. With the help of Vision Air Services Inc., we were able to bring Melanie's dream to fly over her family's homestead to life, and what a special moment it was. Melanie left this experience closer to family and friends, and with a bright view of her future. She stated that "it truly lifted me up and provided me great insight to this new world around me and with an increased sense of confidence that I can move ahead with a more active and enriched future.”
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Michael Williams, 80
Meet wish recipient Michael, 80 years young who was born and raised in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Michael's father, grandfather, and great grandfather were all very involved with Sable Island during their careers with the Coast Guard. They worked for the department of transport where most of his family were sea captains. Primarily they would deliver supplies to those living on the island, unloading the boats on the sand, those on the island would take possession, and then they would head back to the mainland. It has remained his steadfast dream of his to visit the island and witness its operations, see the lighthouses, the horses, and of course, take in the beauty of a place that carries so much family history!

Bernard Forsythe, 83
Bernard, 83, was born and raised in Nova Scotia. Having worked in nature his entire life, he has discovered rare plants never known to Nova Scotia and has banded over 800 Barred Owls. He did this in his spare time while raising 3 children alongside his late wife, and working full-time as a contractor with no vacation. Bernard devotes his time tirelessly to others, Specifically, he helped many Acadia students with their studies throughout the years. Throughout it all, he’s never asked for anything in return and always carries a smile on his face. Bernard’s lifelong dream has always been to visit Sable Island. A true lifelong wish, Bernard happily danced through the beaches of Sable Island, climbing every sand dune he could find to get a better view of the birds through his binoculars.

Kate MacMillan, 78
Kate MacMillan is 78 years young and loves where she lives with all her heart. Growing up as one of five siblings with four brothers, she later raised five children and joyfully welcomed four grandchildren. Her life has been defined by caring for her family and those around her, and despite facing heartbreaking challenges —losing both her husband and son—Kate's enduring spirit reflects her resilience and strength. Nominated by her daughter Andrea, Kate has held a longtime dream of flying over western Cape Breton to witness the Celtic colours of her homeland from a perspective she had only imagined. Having always admired the helicopters she’d seen flying overhead her entire life, she hoped to one day see the landscape’s beauty from the sky for herself. This was something she never believed would have ever come true… until it finally did!
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Marlene Tucker, 76
Marlene is 76 years young and resides in New Minas, Nova Scotia. She's an avid fan of Chad Hiltz from the TV show 'Bad Chad' on the Discovery Channel. Chad actually lives in Marlene's community, and every passing encounter leaves her wondering about his current projects and what he could possibly be working on right now. With limited time on her side due to heart failure, Marlene's dream of meeting Chad, and having the opportunity to see his garage and what he might be working on, has finally come true thanks to the crew at Bad Chad Customs!
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Veronica Murray, 93
Veronica, 93 years young, has faced numerous challenges throughout her life. In 1965, she tragically lost her husband to a massive heart attack when they were in the midst of building their home. Left without running water, electricity, and an indoor bathroom, Veronica displayed immense resilience and determination while single-handedly raising two young children on a modest income. Throughout her journey as a single mother, she exuded grace, positivity, and an unwavering willingness to help others. Since the beginning of his career, Veronica cheered Sidney on from the comfort of her home, praying his team would win as she excitedly watched the game from start to finish. Her dream having always been to meet Sidney one day and watch him play live, something she feels she has limited time to achieve given her age.
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Connie Britt, 74
Meet Connie, our very first wish recipient who resides outside of Nova Scotia in Saint John, New Brunswick. At 74 years young, one thing is for certain: she has never stopped serving the people she loves. Raised in a small town, Connie grew up climbing trees, playing softball and catching baseball games on TV. As a mother of three, she put herself through nursing school while raising three children on her own, and single-handedly supported her family as a nurse for more than 30 years. Today, she continues to serve her community as a personal support worker. Her daughter Donna believes a chance to see the Blue Jays in action could be the best thing that could ever happen for her. “I think it would put a spring back in her step.” And that it did!
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Isabel White, 84
Isabel, 84 years, from Nova Scotia is a beacon of resilience in her community. She’s recognized for her unwavering positivity and is a living testament to the strength of the human spirit. She proves that age is no match for her and she inspires all who know her. Since they started, Isabel has been a faithful Toronto Blue Jays fan. No matter how late it is, she never misses a game on TV (and has even been caught at 2 AM cheering them on). “Joe Carter was my boyfriend,” she tells us through a chuckle and explains that George Springer is her favorite player. Due to many varying circumstances, Isabel has never been able to watch a live ball game until now. We are incredibly happy to share that we were able to make Isabel’s wish come true!