FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lindsey Pritzlaff, Director of Communications
609-371-9474 or lpritzlaff@wishnj.org

Monroe Township, New Jersey (June 13, 2012) – Make-A-Wish® New Jersey announces that their annual Gala will be held at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place on June 15, 2012.

Just six months after the grand opening of its one-of-a-kind wish-granting facility, Make-A-Wish New Jersey invites guests to join the celebration of their powerful mission, taking place for the first time in its whimsical castle. As guests explore the 20,000-square foot facility during a bountiful reception, they will get a glimpse of the magic that awaits each wish child who visits and will hear stories of some recent wishes granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Dancing will commence as the Gala begins at 6:00 pm, pausing only for an awards presentation during which Frank Shankwitz, co-founder of Make-A-Wish®, will offer remarks and a wish family will share the life-changing impact of a wish come true.

During this year’s award ceremony, the New Jersey chapter will honor Ernest W. Feist as Humanitarian of the Year and Thomas J. McEvoy will be recognized with the Kathleen H. Murray Award for Distinguished Board Service.

Ernie Feist, president of Feist Engineering, Inc., first became involved with Make-A-Wish New Jersey as a donor to the Adopt-A-Wish® program. In fact, a few years ago in lieu of gifts for a milestone birthday, Mr. Feist requested his guests make a donation to help fund a child’s wish. While continuing to support wish granting, Mr. Feist also contributed to the Chapter’s capital campaign to create the Wishing Place. He has recently been named to the Board of Directors. In addition to his active involvement with Make-A-Wish, Mr. Feist participates in fundraising efforts for St. Joseph High School, Forsgate Foundation, and the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. He has served on several nonprofit boards, including Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, Mayor Richard Pucci Scholarship Foundation Trust, and the Board of Education in Perth Amboy.

Thomas McEvoy, co-founder and managing partner of DMC Wealth Advisors, LLC, is a true leader with nearly 30 years of experience in financial planning and work for charitable causes. Mr. McEvoy is a longtime supporter of Make-A-Wish. He sat on the Make-A-Wish New Jersey honorary board for two years, and for the past six years he has served on their Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. In addition to his distinguished and longstanding service to Make-A-Wish New Jersey, Mr. McEvoy also serves on the Board of Directors of the Neumann Foundation, Manasquan Recreation, Team Walker Foundation, and is former board member of Metro New Jersey Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Gala begins at 6:00 p.m. with a bountiful reception and silent auction, followed by an awards presentation and a live auction. Anyone interested in attending or supporting the Gala should contact Cynthia Carway at (609) 371-9474 or via e-mail at ccarway@wishnj.org.

About Make-A-Wish® New Jersey
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed say a wish come true can affect their health outcomes. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences strengthen the entire family. Based in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States, its territories and in 47 countries on five continents. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted more than 7,200 wishes since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit www.nj.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

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