Kindness of many makes Wishing Place possible
Community heralds start of construction on Make-A-Wish building
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL ACKER Josephine Plumeri, whose family donated $2 million for the construction of the future Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey headquarters, accepts a bouquet of roses during last week's groundbreaking ceremony in Monroe.

MONROE - Children living with serious illnesses joined volunteers and local officials at a ceremony last week marking the start of construction on the Make-A-Wish Foundation's New Jersey headquarters.

Tom Weatherall, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, hosted the event, which was attended by several hundred people Nov. 30 at the vacant site on Perrineville Road, just north of Route 33.

Weatherall recognized the Make-A-Wish children and their families in the audience.

"It's because of you that we are all gathered here today," Weatherall said.

He expressed gratitude to the donors, volunteers, the township and the foundation's current and former directors, who helped make the 20,000-square-foot Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place a reality.

Joseph Plumeri, chairman and CEO of the global insurance brokerage Willis Group, speaks to more than 100 people in attendance at the groundbreaking for the "Wishing Place" named in honor of his parents.

When work is completed on the building in 2009, the New Jersey chapter of the foundation will move its Union and Cherry Hill offices to the new location.

The Wishing Place, one of three locations of its kind nationwide, will look like a castle from the outside and is designed to inspire hope in children who have severe illnesses and spend a significant amount of time in hospitals and treatment centers, Weatherall said. It will include a wishing room, a multipurpose space, gallery, theater and volunteer training and development center.

Weatherall said the organization's prior locations in New Jersey were overcrowded and static, and that Monroe's central location and proximity to the New Jersey Turnpike make it an ideal setting.

Monroe Mayor Richard Pucci addressed the crowd, acknowledging local officials and administrators, as well as two donors who made significant contributions to the cause - Jack Morris, CEO of the development firm Edgewood Properties, and Joe Plumeri, chairman and CEO of the Willis Group.

Andrew Quinn, who was granted a trip to Walt Disney World courtesy of the Make-AWish Foundation of New Jersey, thanks the organization's supporters.

Morris donated the 14-acre property where the facility will be built.

"No matter what we have asked of him, he has truly been an outstanding philanthropist," Pucci said.

Morris thanked his longtime friend and business partner, Joe Marino, for donating his services to construct the building. He said the strength of the Make-A-Wish families is a significant source of inspiration for him.

"It's about what these children have done for me and how they inspire me," Morris said.

Pucci also recognized the Plumeri family, which donated $2 million to the construction of the building. This is the largest individual donation made to the foundation since its founding in 1980.

"Joe, we can't say enough about your efforts," Pucci said.

Plumeri said the decision to name the building in honor of his parents, Samuel and Josephine, means a great deal to him and his family.

"This is a good day," Plumeri said.

Plumeri described his father as a dedicated Trentonian who was instrumental in bringing the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team to the struggling city, at a time when he was recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.

"He always wanted to see it regain its prominence," Plumeri said.

Pucci said the children and the families who are a part of the foundation inspire strength and compassion in the people around them.

"We want to be there for you, because you are our true American heroes," Pucci said.

Andrew Quinn, a ninth-grade student, addressed the crowd after Pucci, saying that the foundation sent him to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., during a time of trial for him and his family. Andrew said he had undergone chemotherapy, radiation treatments and several surgeries after doctors discovered that he had a tumor.

Since that time, he has recovered well, growing his hair back and practicing golf and piano in his spare time.

"On behalf of all of the 'wish' kids, thank you all for making this happen," Andrew said.

Make-A-Wish Foundation's national president, David A. Williams, said that 27,000 children are diagnosed with lifethreatening illnesses each year in the United States. He commended the New Jersey chapter of the organization for granting 470 wishes last year in the midst of planning this project.

"This campaign has just been so remarkably successful," Williams said. "… The future of Make-A-Wish in New Jersey is very, very bright."

Millstone resident Evelyn Hannah attended the groundbreaking event with her 10-year-old daughter, Passion. The Make-AWish Foundation sent them to Walt Disney World in 2000.

"She loved it," Hannah said. "We were treated like celebrities."

Hannah told Greater Media Newspapers that Passion, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is legally blind, is one of five boarder babies she has adopted. She is planning to adopt a sixth boarder baby next year.

"It's wonderful," Hannah said of the upcoming project. "I'm overwhelmed by the donors and the businessmen that have made this happen."