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Max plays for a great cause... The NJ Make A Wish Foundation Gala

Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrated 35 years of wish

For Sofia Pasquarelli, 9, of Middlesex, Make-A-Wish New Jersey means "everything" to her. Sofia had her Walt Disney World wish granted in 2012. Her friend and neighbor, Nicholas Anderson, 11, celebrated with his Wish buddy at the event. Nicholas also had his wish — to be a Jedi and meet Darth Vader — granted in 2012. 

Though she had finals early the next morning, Francesca Onimus, 16, of Mullica Hill, enjoyed every minute of the gala, joining Weinberg on stage and partying until the very end.

"Make-A-Wish means so much to me," said Onimus, whose wish to meet her mother's family in Sicily was granted in 2017. "Every time I come here I have so much joy."  

With help from Wish children Francesca Ominus, 16,Buy Photo

With help from Wish children Francesca Ominus, 16, of Mullica Hill and Mary McKenna, 12, of Middletown, E Street drummer and Make-A-Wish New Jersey supporter Max Weinberg and Friends entertain at the 2018 Make-A-Wish New Jersey Gala. Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrated 35 years of wish granting in the Garden State at its annual Gala June 14. Filled with celebrity surprises, a wish granted, a historic first-time meeting and musical entertainment by Max Weinberg of the E-Street Band and Friends, the gala celebration took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a magical and whimsical castle in Monroe that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home. The event raised more than $1 Million to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses throughout the state. (Photo: Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo)

 

Make-A-Wish New Jersey creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. A wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their journey and helps children look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life as Make-A-Wish believes a single wish transforms lives.

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 62 chapters serving children in every community in the U.S. and its territories and 40 international affiliates serving children on five continents. Serving children in every municipality in the state, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted more than 10,000 wishes since its inception in 1983.

 

The evening at The Wishing Place was filled with surprises and heartfelt moments. Early on, a story was shared about one of the first 10 wishes granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey. The wish was granted in 1983 for a young boy named Bobby Macaluso to meet his hero — famed wrestler Rocky Johnson. Bobby’s story was shared via video message by Rocky Johnson’s son, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to an audience of more than 500 – including Bobby’s family. "The Rock" is a second generation wish granter, most recently meeting one child on a movie set last fall.

Two supporters were honored for their dedication and commitment to the Make-A-Wish mission. Neil Barnett, president and COO of Fedway Associates, was presented with the President’s Award, and Francis X. Bolte, chief administration officer of BDP International and chairman of the board for Make-A-Wish New Jersey, was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Klara Pederson, 8, of Mantua chats with Moana and CinderellaBuy Photo

 

Klara Pederson, 8, of Mantua chats with Moana and Cinderella at the 2018 Make-A-Wish Gala. Klara's wish for an Action Trackchair was the 10,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish NJ. Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrated 35 years of wish granting in the Garden State at its annual Gala June 14. Filled with celebrity surprises, a wish granted, a historic first-time meeting and musical entertainment by Max Weinberg of the E-Street Band and Friends, the gala celebration took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a magical and whimsical castle in Monroe that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home. The event raised more than $1 Million to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses throughout the state. (Photo: Cheryl Makin/Staff Photo)

 

Other highlights included a celebration of the milestone 10,000th wish granted by Make-A-Wish New Jersey a few weeks ago to Klara Pederson, of Mantua, for a purple Action Trackchair, followed by a surprise wish granted for Brandon Cooper, whose wish was for his very own camper. The camper was delivered by a Monroe Township Police Department motorcade outside The Wishing Place via a live video feed while guests witnessed Cooper rushing out to receive his new camper with his family.

Special surprise

Make-A-Wish history was also made at the gala when Linda Pauling, the "Matriarch of Make-A-Wish," met one of her son’s celebrity heroes for the first time. In 1980, Pauling's son, Chris Greicius, who battled leukemia, was given the experience of a lifetime when his "wish" to be a police officer was made possible by law enforcement officials in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chris' desire to become a police officer was inspired by many things, one of which was his favorite television show "CHiPs," starring Erik Estrada as "Ponch." At the gala, for the first time in Make-A-Wish history, Pauling was greeted by Estrada as he and Tommy Austin, U.S. customs agent and co-founder of Make-A-Wish, made their way through an honor guard of wish families, local, state and federal law enforcement officials, past and present board members, honorees and special friends of Make-A-Wish, to meet Pauling on stage in a moment filled with kisses, hugs and many tears of joy.

Linda Pauling, the “Matriarch of Make-A-Wish” and mother

Linda Pauling, the “Matriarch of Make-A-Wish” and mother of Chris Greicius, meets Erik Estrada, “Ponch” of CHiPs, one of the inspirations for her son's “wish” to be a police officer. Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrated 35 years of wish granting in the Garden State at its annual Gala June 14. Filled with celebrity surprises, a wish granted, a historic first-time meeting and musical entertainment by Max Weinberg of the E-Street Band and Friends, the gala celebration took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a magical and whimsical castle in Monroe that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home. The event raised more than $1 Million to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses throughout the state. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Michael Ehrmann/DCS Photo)

With help from Wish children Francesca Ominus, 16,

 

Chris’ experience sparked the global movement that would become known as Make-A-Wish and, since that day in April 1980, more than 300,000 children in the U.S. have experienced the hope, joy and transformation Make-A-Wish provides to children with critical illnesses.

"We are humbled by the continued generosity and support of our community here in the Garden State, which has allowed us to deliver our mission to New Jersey children for the past 35 years,” said Tom Weatherall, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish New Jersey.

"From sponsors and donors, to volunteers and of course our wish families, and we can’t forget our special friends Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Erik Estrada who truly understand the power of a wish, we thank you all," he added. "We rely 100 percent on the benevolence of the community and it is because of these individuals — and many others — that we continue to advance our mission and reach more eligible children each year. Tonight was merely a celebration of this seemingly simple yet oh-so-powerful mission."

E Street drummer and Make-A-Wish New Jersey supporter

 

A passion in life

The overall excitement of the evening was encapsulated by an inspiring speech by Megan Crowley, diagnosed with Pompe Disease, whose wish was granted in 2001 to go to Walt Disney World. Her father, John Crowley, chairman of the board and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, chairman of the board for Make-A-Wish America 2014-2016, and the inspiration for the film "Extraordinary Measures," shared his pride of his daughter and all she has accomplished.

The Crowley family have continued to be leaders in the Make-A-Wish community, and played an integral part in the building of the Wishing Place, as well as countless other initiatives.

"When Make-A-Wish enters your life, it never leaves," said Megan Crowley. "I began to understand that this fantastic foundation was my passion in life — and that my mission was to help advance its mission."

Megan Crowley, diagnosed with Pompe Disease, whose

Megan Crowley, diagnosed with Pompe Disease, whose wish was granted in 2001 to go to Walt Disney World, gives an inspiring speech alongside her father, John Crowley, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, Chairman of the Board for Make-A-Wish America 2014-2016, and the inspiration for the film "Extraordinary Measures," with Make-A-Wish New Jersey President & CEO Tom Weatherall. Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrated 35 years of wish granting in the Garden State at its annual Gala June 14. Filled with celebrity surprises, a wish granted, a historic first-time meeting and musical entertainment by Max Weinberg of the E-Street Band and Friends, the gala celebration took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a magical and whimsical castle in Monroe that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home. The event raised more than $1 Million to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses throughout the state. (Photo: ~Courtesy of Michael Ehrmann/DCS Photo)

E Street drummer and Make-A-Wish New Jersey supporter

 

Last year alone, Make-A-Wish New Jersey granted 530 wishes to children in the state with critical illnesses — a chapter record. Each wish costs about $10,000. Studies show that on average, 700 Garden State children are diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition each year. Weatherall said at the gala that in celebration and honor of Make-A-Wish New Jersey’s past 35 years, a five-year strategic plan will work towards reaching 100 percent of eligible children. Inspired by this ambitious plan, the Crowley family committed to leading a significant fundraising initiative for the chapter’s future growth.

For more information on Make-A-Wish New Jersey or to find out how to make life-changing wishes come true for children with critical illnesses, call 800-252-WISH or go to NJ.WISH.ORG.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@gannettnj.com

https://www.mycentraljersey.co...sary-gala/710112002/

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Pulled up to my house today
Came and took my little girl away!
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