By David Kilby, Managing Editor
UNION — New Jersey native and multimillionaire Joe Plumeri issued a challenge that will have extraordinary benefits for children from the Garden State with life-threatening medical conditions.
And it worked!
With supporters raising $1 million for the state’s seriously ill children, Mr. Plumeri increased the largest gift in the history of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey from $2 million to $3 million.
In an example of unprecedented generosity for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, Mr. Plumeri said he will add $1 million to his previously announced $2 million gift to build a new facility where seriously ill kids from around the state will have their wishes granted, if supporters pledged another $1 million.
At its annual gala June 17, the foundation announced it had met that challenge, raising an additional $1.1 million from area donors.
The $3 million Plumeri donation, the largest gift ever received by the foundation in its 28-year history, will help finance the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a 20,000-square-foot castle-like facility nearing completion on 11 acres on Perrineville Road in Monroe.
The facility will include a place for children to imagine and declare their wish, a volunteer training and development center for the chapter’s 300-plus volunteers, multipurpose rooms to hold events now hosted throughout the state and expanded office space for staff and volunteers.
Born in Trenton, Mr. Plumeri is the chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings, a leading global insurance broker based in New York City and London. He is also co-owner of the Trenton Thunder and Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball teams.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since its inception in 1983, the New Jersey chapter has granted almost 7,000 wishes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation serves children in every U.S. community and in 40 more countries around the world.
Each year, 400 to 500 children in New Jersey are granted their wishes through the foundation. They range in age from 2½ to 18 years old and represent each of the state’s 21 counties.
Wishes range from meeting a sports star, entertainment celebrity or world leader to receiving a computer or room makeover to traveling to far-away destinations around the globe — including the most popular wishes — a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland or a voyage on Disney Cruise Line.
”This new facility is going to be a game-changer for us,” said Tom Weatherall, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. “Sure, it will help raise awareness of our mission, but, equally important, it will help future wish kids to dream. The medical community tells us all the time that 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. They need our help.”
He added, “Joe Plumeri’s support is greatly important to us for the dollar value as well as for the message it represents. His challenge grant helped us to invite new donors under our tent. And who better to help bring this vision to life than Joe, a man who has lived his life dreaming big, but also bringing those dreams to fruition.”
Mr. Plumeri said, “Every child with a life-threatening illness deserves to see their wish come true. The Make-A-Wish mission is a powerful and inspiring one to get behind, and a concept as imaginative and child-focused as this new facility will really take the wish-granting experience to new levels. My challenge was intended to bring out the best in people — to inspire and motivate others to give to this wonderful project and change the lives of the kids the Wishing Place will benefit.”
He also said he hopes people will consider giving the gift of time and become a volunteer, adding, “The Make-A-Wish Foundation needs both — donors and volunteers.”
For more information, call Michael W. Oakes, chief operating officer and vice president for development, at 908-964-5055.
