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 7,400 wishes. Nationally, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 226,000 wishes since 1980.
Wish referrals are coming in faster than the funds needed to support them.
As a community service project 13-year-old Jared started his own online airline miles drive called 'Miles for Smiles' and raised 300,000 donated airline miles for Make-A-Wish New Jersey.
