About Us
No child should ever have to endure the struggle and pain that comes with battling a life-threatening illness. Giving back to these children, what their illness has taken away – laughter, strength, hope and joy, is our sole purpose at Make-A-Wish® New Jersey.
Whether it’s 3-year old Ricky feeling the joy of his shopping spree, 5-year old Amanda experiencing the magic of Disney, 11-year old Katie having her bedroom made over, or 6-year-old Gary joining the Yankees at batting practice, a wish gives each child a chance to forget the doctors, the treatments, and the hospital stays.
We hope you will join us - whether as a volunteer, a contributor, or both - in helping us continue creating our special brand of magic through the power of a wish®.
Our Chapter
Make-A-Wish New Jersey is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization governed by a diverse and respected volunteer Board of Directors. We are chartered under the auspices of the Make-A-Wish America, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Our New Jersey Chapter, founded in 1983, serves the entire state of New Jersey.
Learn more about our mission and the impact of a wish.
The First Wish
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Christopher James Greicius was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer.
Thanks to the generosity of some caring individuals, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history. Thus, the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation® – was born. Continue reading about our history.
Fast Facts
The Make-A-Wish® New Jersey was founded in 1983.
Our chapter granted more than 400 wishes in the last year alone.
In New Jersey we currently have 300+ volunteers and welcome other interested individuals.
Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted more than 7,000 wishes. Nationally, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 218,000 wishes since 1980.
Wish referrals are coming in faster than the funds needed to support them.
Over the years, Toys"R"Us and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund have donated more than $1.5 million to Make-A-Wish, helping grant the wishes of hundreds of deserving children across the country.
