Local woman grants wishes for strangers

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) One local woman is granting wishes for strangers. The special lady first thought to help others during the pope's visit. But a temporary idea has grown into a permanent Philadelphia fixture.

FOX 29's Bill Anderson shares her story.

33-year-old Simonetta Lein immigrated from Italy with the spirit of helping others. We first heard of her wish wall during the pope's visit to Philadelphia and this past weekend during the Italian Market Festival the wish wall got a permanent home.

They call her the wish maker and her idea is that if we could just come up with a way to share everyone's needs or wishes, we as a community would want to come together and help.

The wall is on display in DiBruno Bros Piazza at 9th and Wharton in South Philly and hundreds of wishes have been posted. Some are general well wishes but others will hopefully inspire action.

Along with the Philadelphia Wish Wall there's a website, Facebook page and Wishwall Foundation so that wishes from around the world can be shared and hopefully granted.