Young at heart
A Halifax-based charity grants wishes to seniors looking to fulfill lifelong dreams.
Shortly before her 80th birthday, Elizabeth Baillie made a running list of activities she would have never attempted when she was younger—and she made the executive decision that now would be the time. Near the top of her list? Dogsledding.
“My mom has always loved dogs and has watched dogsledding on television,” says her daughter, Cathy Baillie, who lives in Halifax. “As she pondered her bucket list, my mom reflected on her life and thought about adventures she once dreamed about and decided to revisit some of these dreams.” That’s when Cathy and her siblings reached out to We Are Young (WAY).
The Halifax-based charity grants wishes to seniors in Atlantic Canada. Since its inception in 2015, WAY has fulfilled 41 wishes—helicopter rides, skydiving, concerts, family reunions and more—by facilitating travel, service providers and logistics. “We grant three themes of wishes—reconnecting with a loved one, fulfilling a lifelong dream or revisiting a passion that someone used to do,” explains WAY co-founder Katie Mahoney.
Two examples of the third wish category are charting a boat to bring a lifelong rockhound to an otherwise inaccessible shoreline and helping an old farmhand—someone who hadn’t set foot on a farm in more than 60 years—relive “the best years of his life” by visiting a local stable. “We grant these wishes to give back to a very selfless and humble generation who sacrificed so much to ensure that generations after [theirs will have] bright futures,” says Mahoney.
By providing opportunities within the community, WAY encourages younger generations to engage with seniors and ask them about their dreams and aspirations, Mahoney explains. “We want to be part of a broader narrative showcasing what seniors have to offer and what they are capable of achieving if we support them.”
As for Elizabeth Baillie, she got the ride of her life at age 81, thanks to NB Urban Mushing, an adventure company based in Havelock, New Brunswick. “I did it, I did it, I did it!” she shouted gleefully at the end of her dogsled ride. “Sharing this experience with my mom was amazing,” says Cathy
We grant these wishes to give back to a very selfless and humble generation who sacrificed so much.
“Seeing her adventurous spirit surface provided insight into the young woman she had been. To see my mom—someone who has always put everyone else first—have an experience that was completely focused on her was heartwarming.” Now 85, Elizabeth isn’t done with her bucket list. After all, there’s still a motorcycle ride and hot air balloon ride to cross off.
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