Hundreds Gather At Make-A-Wish New Jersey Walk & Roll For Wishes

On Sunday, October 20th, Make-A-Wish New Jersey hosted its annual Walk & Roll For Wishes at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place in Monroe Township, a magical and whimsical wish-granting castle that Make-A-Wish New Jersey calls home. The annual event hosted hundreds of walkers and rollers in attendance, including dozens of wish families, and raised over $100,000 - vital funds needed for their mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey granted 595 wishes in its most recent fiscal year. Combined with the 2019 Liberty State Park Walk & Roll For Wishes in September, Make-A-Wish New Jersey raised nearly $200,000 to create future wishes in the weeks and months ahead.

"Now in our 36th year of wish granting here in New Jersey, we know that a wish is life-changing for not only a child with a critical illness, but for the entire family,” shared Tom Weatherall, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “Our annual Walk & Roll For Wishes events are an opportunity to invite our donors, sponsors, volunteers, wish families, as well as new friends and members of the New Jersey community to engage in our mission.”

During the Walk & Roll For Wishes opening program, wish mom Jen shared the story of her son Riley, who battles a nervous system disorder. Riley’s wish to go to Las Vegas and become a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer – a wish inspired by watching the heroic acts of the first responders during the October 1 attack two years ago – became the turning point for Riley to experience life beyond illness, and a trip that Riley and his family will never forget.

The walk and roll embarked on a non-competitive, wheelchair-friendly course on the castle grounds and along Perrineville Road, and continued with a fun-filled day of music, entertainment, games, food and fun.

A special thank you is extended to all the sponsors and partners of the 2019 Make-A-Wish New Jersey Walk & Roll For Wishes.

For more information on Make-A-Wish New Jersey, visit nj.wish.org and learn how you can make life-changing wishes come true.