Make-A-Wish New Jersey granted Neil Hajjar’s wish — to have an outdoor wheelchair swing of his very own. Then, they had a surprise for him — a caravan of 250 cars, motorcycles and law enforcement vehicles that drove past his Bernardsville home.
Bridgewater Courier News
The dreams of critically ill children are still being fulfilled by Make-A-Wish New Jersey, although not quite at the pace of the organization’s record-setting year in 2019, when it granted 595 wishes. Due to COVID-19, the number of wishes has decreased by more than 50%.
“Wishes are not canceled, they’re just postponed,” said Michael Dominick, director of communications for Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “Many of these children are immune compromised and at a greater risk. Their safety is always our priority.”
Make-A-Wish, the largest wish-granting charity in the world, offers hope to children between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 years who have been diagnosed with critical illnesses. The organization believes that the wish experience can be a game changer when it comes to a child’s recovery.
“Families have told us they see a change in their child, with the empowerment given to them when they are asked what their wish would be,” Dominick said. “You can see the joy on their faces as they explore the endless possibilities. It’s a big distraction from their medical treatment, and the impact can be life changing. Many doctors use the referral of a wish as part of their treatment protocol.”
Wishes have ranged from the relatively simple – a puppy – to the extravagant. In October, the New Jersey Devils named Reilly Hoagland, a 13-year-old fan with cystic fibrosis, an honorary draft pick. The team mascot and several Devils alumni showed up at his house with a bag full of Devils draft gear, including a personalized jersey, and signed him to a “contract.” He will even get to skate with the Devils and attend a home game when they return for the 2020-21 season.
About 70% of the wishes involve travel, which is the main reason for the decrease in the number of wishes granted this year.
“Walt Disney World is the wish we get the most,” Dominick said. “We’re prepared to grant travel wishes as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Some children have decided to choose a different wish rather than wait. Madison, 15, who is battling thyroid cancer, wished for a MacBook Pro. Nesim, 9, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is an avid movie watcher. Make-A-Wish set him up with a movie room that included big chairs, an HD screen and popcorn machine. Ava, 16, has a cardiac condition and wanted a brand-new cello.
“Wishes come in all shapes and sizes,” Dominick said. “A lot of them involve things at home, like backyard above ground pools, a hot tub or a camper so they could safely travel. One child said his favorite things were sitting in a swing and watching cars go by his house. We built a wheelchair swing in his front yard so he could do both. We also organized a convoy with police, fire trucks and motorcycles. The whole town came out with signs to cheer him on!”
Dominick shared a story about a child who wished for an online shopping spree – simple compared to grander requests. After purchasing some new electronics for himself, he set aside some of the allocated funds to buy a PlayStation and large HD television for the children’s lounge at Jersey Shore Medical Center.
“He spent so much time in the hospital, he wanted to give back,” Dominick said. “How many kids will benefit from that one act of kindness, and what kind of ripple effect will that have? He is the humblest of kids and wasn’t looking for accolades. It’s very inspiring.”
With wishes costing an average of $11,000 each, fundraising has been more of a challenge during the pandemic since several large fundraising events have been canceled. Families are never charged a fee for their child’s wish. Make-A-Wish New Jersey spends 80% of every dollar on wish granting and related program expenses. Only 7% is spent on management and general costs and 13% is allocated to fundraising.
“We rely 100% on the benevolence of the community and our corporate partners such as Disney, Macy’s, Subaru and Bristol Myers Squibb,” Dominick said. “We couldn’t do what we do without them. It’s been a challenging year, but we have generous and loyal donors, including Needy Cases, who recognize the power of our mission. We are grateful for every dollar donated.”
This year, employees and volunteers have found unique and contact-free ways of delivering the wishes. They wear gloves and masks while wrapping gifts, and during presentations, they watching the child open the gifts from a safe distance.
“Every child with a life-threatening illness deserves a wish,” Dominick said. “We deliver hope, which is needed as these children battle critical illnesses. If a child has a wish, we have the confidence to say that wish will be granted.”
How to support the Needy Cases Fund
From Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, the journalists of the Home News Tribune, Courier News and MyCentralJersey.com are focusing on 12 organizations serving Central Jersey as part of the annual Needy Cases Fund project.
The Needy Cases Fund is a Central Jersey holiday tradition, stretching back more than seven decades. The community service project has been sponsored by the Home News Tribune and its predecessor, the Daily Home News, working with the Lions Club of New Brunswick. In 2020, during a year unlike any other, the Courier News is joining the Home News Tribune in sponsoring 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 do not make checks out to the Courier News Wish Book program this year. Please indicate with a note whether you want to be acknowledged in a wrap-up story about the program, or whether you wish to remain anonymous.
Donations will be gratefully accepted through the end of December.
For any questions, contact Carolyn Sampson at 908-243-6624 or [email protected].
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