Make-A-Wish Foundation receive largest donation
By: Stephanie Brown
MONROE The largest individual donation ever made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation means the nonprofit group can move ahead with plans to build a new headquarters on Perrineville Road.
Joseph and Nancy Plumeri of Somerset County donated $2 million earlier this month, helping the foundation’s New Jersey Chapter reach the $6 million needed for construction.
"Our board and staff are thrilled by this gift because it’s a tremendous endorsement of our very simple, yet powerful mission we serve," said Tom Weatherall, Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey’s president and chief executive officer.
Mr. Weatherall said the new facility would be the first of its kind on the East Coast. It will be designed like a castle and house the state administrative office of the charitable organization, now based in Union, as well as a volunteer training and development center and multipurpose room.
The 18,500-square-foot building will include a "wishing center," a room where children with life-threatening medical conditions will be able to see examples of wishes made by other children, and hopefully find inspiration for their own.
"The world of possibilities will be characterized to them in full color, and options will be unfolded to them in a fantasy-like environment," Mr. Weatherall said. "It will help them to think beyond their own environment that often presents them with limiting possibilities."
The facility is planned for 11 acres on Perrineville Road that was donated to the foundation by Jack Morris, CEO of Edgewood Properties.
The facility had been included in Mr. Morris’ proposal for a mixed-use development and ballpark on Route 33 called The Marketplace at Monroe.
However, Mr. Weatherall said the foundation is moving ahead and making a separate application to the township’s Planning Board. He could not give timeline for the project.
Last year, the foundation granted more than 430 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions and hopes to grant 450 this year, he said.