Union, NJ, June 21, 2011 –New Jersey native Joe Plumeri issued a bold challenge that will have extraordinary benefits for kids from the Garden State with life-threatening medical conditions.  And it worked!

In an example of unprecedented generosity for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, Mr. Plumeri said that he will add $1 million to his previously announced $2 million gift to build a new facility where seriously ill kids from around the state will have their wishes granted, if supporters pledged another $1 million.  At their annual Gala last Friday evening, not only did the Foundation honor celebrity baker Buddy Valastro and long time donors to the chapter, Chuck & Jo Montufar, they also announced that it had met that challenge, raising an additional $1.1 million from area donors.

The increased $3 million Plumeri donation, the largest gift ever received by the Foundation in its 28-year history, will help finance the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a 20,000-square-foot castle-like facility nearing completion on 14 acres in Monroe Township. The facility will include a place for children to imagine and declare their wish, a volunteer training and development center for the chapter’s 300-plus volunteers, a multi-purpose rooms to hold events now hosted throughout the state, and expanded office space for staff and volunteers.

The Make-A-Wish Mission
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Each year, 400-500 children in New Jersey are granted their fondest wish.   They range in age from 2½ to 18 years old, and represent each of the state’s 21 counties.  Wishes range from meeting a sports star, entertainment celebrity or world leader, to receiving a computer or room makeover, to traveling to far-away destinations around the globe – including the most popular wishes –a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland®, or a voyage on Disney Cruise Line®.

“This new facility is going to be a game-changer for us,” said Tom Weatherall, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey.  “Sure, it will help raise awareness of our mission, but equally important, it will help future wish kids to dream. The medical community tells us all the time that seriously ill children have great difficulty thinking beyond their present circumstances, beyond the four walls of their hospital room or family living room. Understandably, their illness often stifles their imagination.  They need our help.”

He added: “Joe Plumeri’s support is greatly important to us, for the dollar value as well as for the message it represents.  His challenge grant helped us to invite new donors under our tent. And who better to help bring this vision to life than Joe, a man who has lived his life dreaming big, but also bringing those dreams to fruition.”

Born in Trenton, Mr. Plumeri is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Willis Group Holdings, a leading global insurance broker. He is also co-owner of the Trenton Thunder and Lakewood BlueClaws.

“Every child with a life-threatening illness deserves to see their wish come true,” Mr. Plumeri said. “The Make-A-Wish mission is a powerful and inspiring one to get behind, and a concept as imaginative and child-focused as this new facility will really take the wish-granting experience to new levels.  My challenge was intended to bring out the best in people – to inspire and motivate others to give to this wonderful project and change the lives of the kids the Wishing Place will benefit.  And if those who were unable to give a donation, I hope they will consider giving the gift of time and become a volunteer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation needs both – donors and volunteers.”

For more information on how you can get involved with the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, please call Michael W. Oakes, COO/VP for Development, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Jersey at (908) 964-5055.

The Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place
Mr. Weatherall explained that the initial $2 million gift from Mr. Plumeri jumpstarted the project.  It was the first ever multi-million dollar commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, nationally or internationally. In honor of his generosity, the facility is named for Mr. Plumeri’s parents.
Designed to resemble a castle in a child’s story book – based on input from a focus group of wish children – the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place will include an interactive area where kids can imagine their wishes and the Foundation can grant them; a multi-purpose room for on-site children’s events and activities, and training space for staff and volunteers involved in the wish granting program.  The space will also house administrative offices for the day-to-day operations of one of the leading Make-A-Wish chapters nationally.
Mr. Weatherall noted that the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place is scheduled to open later this year.
The final phase of construction began late last month with a “tower raising” ceremony.  In front of dozens of wish families, volunteers and supporters, Monroe Township officials, and media, construction cranes dramatically lifted the last of the facility’s towers into place at the top of the building, close to 100 feet above the ground.

One of Only Four Facilities in U.S.
The Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place is the fourth such facility constructed by Make-A-Wish chapters in the United States, and the first on the East Coast.  The New Jersey facility is one-of-a-kind in that it captures a whimsical and magical castle-like theme. It will also be the largest.

“This is indeed a magnificent day for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey and for wish families throughout the state,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer.  “Joe Plumeri’s generosity and his challenge grant is helping to make the dream of this facility a reality.  A wish granted has a deep, life-affirming impact on the wish child and family, creating the hope, strength and joy so greatly needed.  What makes each wish even more remarkable is the power to enrich so many others’ lives – from friends, neighbors, volunteers and donors to sponsors and even entire communities.  This facility will enhance the experience of granting wishes for everyone involved, particularly for the children.”

About Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.  Since its inception in 1983, the New Jersey chapter has granted almost 7,000 wishes.  The Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every U.S. community and in 40 more countries around the world. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit www.nj.wish.org.

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