Winnie Draper and friends at a recent matinee performance of the Zenobia Shrine Circus. Winnie’s surprise trip was made possible through the Heart’s Desire program at Heartland of Oregon, where she is a resident.

Winifred Draper, a current resident at The Heartland of Oregon, always wanted to go to the circus.

It was a wish she somehow never had the opportunity to fulfill.

During one of Heartland’s resident council meetings, Winifred, or “Winnie” as she’s known by staff members, made a suggestion. “Instead of going on our monthly restaurant trip, why don’t we all choose to spend our money going to the circus?”

Heartland staff members decided to make Winnie’s wish come true as part of Heartland’s “Heart’s Desire” program, an effort that grants the wishes of patients.

On March 27, she got a Saturday-afternoon surprise when was taken by surprise to the SeaGate Convention Center to see the Zenobia Shrine Circus.

She was accompanied by Terry Daines, a member of the Heartland housekeeping staff, and Winnie’s friend and “Guardian Angel.”

“Winnie and Terry were able to sit in the very front row and had an amazing time together,” said Megan A. Fulkerson, Heartland admissions and marketing director. 

“Why me? I didn’t do anything to deserve such a treat,” Winnie said after her visit to the circus.

For more information about Heartland of Oregon, located at 3953 Navarre Ave. Oregon, call 419-698-4521.

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