MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ – December 2, 2011 – A day full of unforgettable moments culminated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey awarding its 7,000th wish to Casey Markowitz of Mount Olive, 17, who met “The Cake Boss” – Buddy Valastro – at center stage during the official opening of “The Wishing Place” in Monroe.

Valastro also presented the crowd of 300 people with a gigantic cake that was an exact replica of the castle’s exterior. He promised to return to offer baking programs for wish kids.

“It is good to give back, to see the joy on peoples’ faces,” Valastro said. “It means the world to me. I am so proud of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. It’s all about the kids, giving them the strength to fight.”

Of the many speeches of the celebration, none received more ovations and laughs than a heartfelt talk from Joseph Plumeri, Chairman & CEO of Willis Group Holdings, who donated $3 million to make the project happen. It was the first seven-figure gift in the history of the entire national Make-A-Wish organization.

The Wishing Place is named after Plumeri’s parents, his late father, Samuel and his 97-year-old mother, Josephine, while the main lobby was named after his late son, Christian. Responding to a standing ovation for his overwhelming gift, Plumeri said he is the one who should be offering thanks.

“When I drove up the driveway here, I felt good,” Plumeri said. “I am a Jersey guy and this place is New Jersey. It made me feel good that I had something to do with it.”

During his remarks, Monroe Mayor Richard Pucci saluted the parents of wish children, saying their consistent strength and deep love is unexplainable. He said it is an honor for the municipality to host The Wishing Place, a first-of-its kind building in the U.S.

Another key speaker was John Crowley, a national Make-A-Wish board member whose life was portrayed in the movie “Extraordinary Measures.”  “This building just doesn’t happen,” Crowley said. “It is really about vision and leadership. Who can drive up to this building and not think about joy? Just think what it means for these kids.”

Crowley, the father of two wish kids, said the New Jersey chapter of Make-A-Wish is one of the charity’s shining stars. He noted the chapter did not take one dollar away from its mission to grant wishes to secure the financing to build the 20,000-square-foot castle.

Only 7.5 percent of the project cost must still be raised, said Phil Ciarco, chairman of the capital campaign, noting supporters quickly find that Make-A-Wish becomes an intimate part of their lives and family.

Chris Avallone, chair of the New Jersey chapter’s Board of Directors, said the organization runs as lean as possible, often with the lowest ratio of staff to wishes granted among all 62 chapters of Make-A-Wish in the U.S.

Jack Morris, a local developer who donated 14 acres for The Wishing Place, said he feels blessed to be able to give the land to Make-A-Wish.  “You gave me the opportunity to do such a beautiful thing,” Morris said. “You wake up each day, wondering what you are doing it all for. I feel blessed to take this honor.”

Tom Weatherall, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, said The Wishing Place will be a game-changer for the organization, which began from humble roots in a back-alley building in Elizabeth.

“Sure, it will help raise awareness of our mission, but it will also serve to inspire future wish kids,” he said. “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,” he said.  “They need our help.”

The Wishing Place – which has already drawn international attention for its unique design and mission – helps children explore the endless possibilities of a wish - when life is offering only an escalating series of limitations.

Features include:

  • A multi-purpose room/theater for special performances; volunteer trainings, wish family gatherings and bon voyage celebrations
  • The Chris Greicius Inspiration Room, for the eyes of wish kids only, designed to stimulate the imagination
  • The Wishing Room, another private place where a child declares his or her wish in a high-tech room like they’ve never encountered
  • An expansive courtyard where picnics, outdoor concerts and other special celebrations will be held
  • The Pond of Hope, where wish kids can enjoy the serenity of the water.

“I think the expressions on these children’s faces here today say it all,” Weatherall said. “This castle now serves as a beacon of hope, strength, and joy for those children who face life-threatening illnesses. They know Make-A-Wish is here for them.”

End

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 250,000 wishes worldwide.  The New Jersey Chapter, founded in 1983, serves the entire state of New Jersey, and has granted approximately 7,000 wishes locally with the help of 300 volunteers. Wishes are funded through the generosity donors, the dedication of our volunteers, and the work of staff.

Buddy Valastro Grants Wish

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey awards its 7,000th wish on Friday to Casey Markowitz of Mount Olive, who asked to meet and bake with “The Cake Boss,” Buddy Valastro. The granted wish was part of day-long festivities to mark the operning of the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place in Monroe Township. To right is Tom Weatherall, president & CEO, of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey.