Make-A-Wish New Jersey continues to give sick children their chance

As in Broadway’s “Hamilton,” Izzy Rita is the main character in her story and sings that her “plan is to fan that spark into a flame.”

And that’s exactly what the 11-year-old Bridgewater resident did when she took the stage to perform “My Shot” at the newly renovated theater at the Samuel and Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place in Monroe earlier this fall. She was among several Make-A-Wish New Jersey (MAWNJ) children who performed for an audience that included Run DMC’s Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Christopher Jackson, who originated the role of George Washington in “Hamilton.” shouted.

Izzy, who was diagnosed with ganglioglioma, a spinal cord tumor, in 2014 when she was 1 year old, was nicknamed “Izzy Warrior Princess” after undergoing 42 rounds of chemotherapy in 14 months. She was left with physical disabilities and suffers from nerve pain every day.

Izzy became a MAWNJ child in 2016 when her wish to go to Disney World came true.

Izzy, now in sixth grade and an accomplished actress, singer and model, became a 2023 Garden of Dreams Talent Show performer. Every year the Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF) produces the show at Radio City Music Hall.

Singing has become a means of comfort and reassurance; helps her feel equal to those around her.

More:Needy Cases Fund 2024: How to help your neighbors in need this holiday season

“Make-A-Wish and Garden of Dreams have influenced my life in many ways,” said Izzy. “Garden of Dreams gave me the best show opportunity I could have asked for, I met so many amazing people through Garden of Dreams and I had a great experience with Make-A-Wish as a little kid and I love it.” I think this modernization of the theater will really enrich the experiences of the children who now perform on the modernized stage, and I think it will give everyone even greater opportunity to shine.”

On average, two families in the Garden State receive test results every day indicating that their child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening, critical illness. This message qualifies your child for the MAWNJ mission – to grant life-changing wishes for children with serious illnesses.

In 2024, MAWNJ created 479 life-changing wishes for children with serious illnesses. The goal is to fulfill more than 500 wishes by the end of the year.

Globally, Make-A-Wish (MAW) has granted more than 585,000 wishes in 50 countries – more than 375,000 wishes in the United States and its territories alone.

Since MAWNJ was founded more than 40 years ago, the nonprofit organization has granted more than 12,500 wishes with the support of private and corporate donors. MAWNJ receives no government support and does not charge fees to any of its intended families.

In addition to granting nearly 500 wishes this year, MAWNJ and the GDF joined forces to unveil the new theater space at MAWNJ’s headquarters as part of GDF’s Community Projects program. The 20,000-square-foot MAWNJ Castle at 1384 Perrineville Road in Monroe is the only one of its kind in the world. It is designed to stimulate the imagination of dream children and enable them to see beyond their current circumstances. The castle has served to enrich all facets of MAWNJ’s work in fulfilling its mission.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Castle was attended by representatives from both nonprofits, including GDF board members McDaniels of Run DMC and Adam Graves of the New York Rangers, as well as GDF supporters Jackson of “Hamilton” and Tom Weatherall. MAWNJ President and CEO.

MAWNJ has been a partner of Garden of Dreams since the foundation was founded in 2006. GDF’s Community Projects program provides direct financial support for community facility improvements and community-based sports, entertainment and media projects that improve the environment for young people where they live and grow up.

Through a $250,000 grant from Garden of Dreams, MAWNJ’s theater was revitalized with state-of-the-art equipment, including a new audio system, projectors, digital screens, theatrical lighting and a stage curtain. The newly renovated theater will be an important stepping stone for Wish Children on their way to Radio City’s big stage for the annual GDF Talent Show. All aspiring MAWNJ artists can audition and rehearse in advance of their debut at Radio City Music Hall.

For more information about MAWNJ, visit nj.wish.org or call 800-252-WISH.

How to support the Needy Cases Fund

From December 1-8, the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com will focus on 11 organizations serving Central Jersey as part of the annual Needy Cases Fund program.

The Needy Cases Fund is a Central Jersey holiday tradition that dates back more than seven decades. The nonprofit project was sponsored by the Home News Tribune and its predecessor, the Daily Home News, in collaboration with the Lions Club of New Brunswick. Since 2020, The Courier News has partnered with the Home News Tribune to sponsor the charity.

Send donations (Checks made out to the Needy Cases Fund or cash) to: Needy Cases Fund, Home News Tribune/Courier News, 92 E. Main St., Suite 202, Somerville, NJ 08876. Please indicate with a note whether or not you would like to be recognized in a final story about the program You would like to remain anonymous.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey continues to give sick children their chance

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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