By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Make-A-Wish New Jersey hosted more than a dozen members of the New York football Giants rookie draft class at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place on June 6.
”The New York Giants have always set the bar for how we would hope professional sports teams would grant wishes.” said Tom Weatherall, president and CEO for Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “In our eyes they didn’t have to win the Super Bowl to be champions. They always have been to our wish kids.” Mr. Weatherall said.
Around 100 people attended the event including wish children and their families, Kids for Wish Kids® program volunteers, and the Make-A-Wish staff, all of whom welcomed the New York Football Giants rookie draft class as they entered the stage.
The afternoon was spent celebrating the Giants Super Bowl XLVI victory, their partnership with Make-A-Wish, and rallying the rookies for their upcoming season.
In addition, attendees could take a tour of the Wishing Place, followed by lunch and a meet-and-greet with the Giants rookie draft class.
For mom, Losa Obu of Burlington, the story of the two boys on the stage brought back memories of her son and his wish being granted, which brought tears to her eyes.
”It brought back memories,” said Ms. Obu.”It was wonderful. It was outstanding to see a Giants player,” said her one son Prince, who had never met anyone famous. “Usually you see them on TV but to see them up close is amazing.”
Wish Kid Jonathan Volpe of Monroe described the experience.
”It was awesome,” said Jonathan.
Like many of the other kids, Jonathan spent his time taking photographs and collecting autographs of the players.
When asked if he had a favorite, he responded, “I like them all.”
”It was a great day,” said mom Carla Volpe of Monroe. “It’s really an honor to meet the rookies that are playing with the Giants and I’m happy that Jonathan and Christian got the chance to be here today.”
”This experience is awesome,” said Larry Donnell of Alabama, New York Giants rookie draft player. “Just to see what these kids go through. Just to see the smiles on their faces, it’s amazing. It just warms my heart they way they go about these things. It’s just a blessing. It just makes me smile.”
For mom, Barbara Pollack of Passaic, the New York Giants were something that she and her son were both big fans of, making the event very special.
”It’s so nice,” said Ms. Pollack. “He was very fortunate and went to the rally for the Giants this past February, so he had a blast. He actually wound up on the field with a lot of the players and go to touch the Heisman Trophy.”
Zack Pollack described his experience of meeting the Giant players.
”It so awesome for the players to come and see us,” said Zack. “I never smiled so much in my life.”
His mom said, “That smile describes the whole thing.”
Zack said this is going to be a memory that will last a lifetime.
”It’s awesome,” said team member Matt Broha of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “We are fortunate enough to come here and hang out with these kids and it makes their day and ours to hang out with them.”
Mr. Broha said this was not his first time doing something like this.
”I did it this past season in our Bowl Game in San Diego,” Mr. Broha said. “It was really fun.”
For Wish Kid Steven Chakomis of Upper Saddle River the experience made him feel part of the team.
”For the kids, it made you feel special like you are part of the Giants team,” said Steven.
Steven was busy collecting autographs from players on his hat and football during the afternoon and taking photographs with the players.
”The rookies are so friendly. They are so nice. They go up to everyone and say ‘Hi’ and they will make conversation with you,” said Steven.
His mom, Lillian Chakomis of Upper Saddle River, said she is in “awe” of the Foundation and what they have done for her son, Steven.
”Make-A-Wish Foundation is just unbelievable and the Giants, words cannot express,” said Ms. Chakomis. “They have given my son something I wasn’t able to do. I gave birth to him but they gave him something that was unbelievable.”
