MONROE— As its castle on Perrineville Road nears completion, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was granted its largest gift in history, thanks to New Jersey native Joseph Plumeri.
Plumeri, who has been involved with the nonprofit organization since 2006, had already donated $2 million to help build a new facility where seriously ill kids from around the state will have their wishes granted. But it didn’t stop there. He pledged that if supporters were able to raise another $1 million, he would match it, making his total donation $3 million.
During the foundation’s annual gala June 17 in Jersey City, Make-A-Wish honored celebrity baker Buddy Valastro and long-time donors to the chapter, Chuck and Jo Montufar. But perhaps the most exciting moment of all was the announcement that area donors had met the challenge and were able to raise an additional $1.1 million.
Plumeri’s now $3 million donation is the largest gift to the foundation in its 28-year history, and is helping to finance the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, the 20,000- square-foot castle now nearing completion on 11 acres in Monroe.
“In honor of [his] unprecedented generosity, the facility will be named in honor of Mr. Plumeri’s parents,” said Tom Weatherall, president and chief executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey.
The castle will include a multi-purpose space, volunteer training and development center, administrative offices, volunteer workspace and a wishing well. The building will be “wish central” for seriously ill kids and their families from throughout New Jersey. The nonprofit organization held a ceremony at the Perrineville Road site in May to kick off the final phase of construction. As a large crowd watched, the castle’s main tower was put into place, some 100 feet in the air.
Developer Jack Morris of Edgewood Properties donated the land for the castle, near Route 33. He initially donated 7 acres, but as he became more involved with the work of Make-A-Wish, he increased that to 14 acres, according to the organization.
According to the foundation, each year, 400-500 children in New Jersey are granted their fondest wish. Wishes range from meeting a celebrity to receiving a computer or room makeover. Some children wish to travel around the globe; but perhaps the most popular ofwishes is a chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland or a voyage on the Disney Cruise Line.
Plumeri’s donation will help to offset the cost of construction, Michael Oakes, the foundation’s vice president and chief operating officer, said.
“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. Andwho 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,” Weatherall said.
Plumeri is the chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings, a leading global insurance broker. He is also co-owner of the Trenton Thunder and Lakewood BlueClaws.
“Every child with a life-threatening illness deserves to see their wish come true,” Plumeri said. “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.”
Plumeri said his challenge was intended to inspire and motivate others to give to the project and change the lives of the kids the Wishing Place will benefit.
The Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place is the fourth such facility constructed by Make-A-Wish chapters in the United States, and the first on the East Coast. The New Jersey facility is one-of-a-kind in that it captures a whimsical and magical castle like theme. It will also be the largest, Oakes said.