MAKE-A-WISH NEW JERSEY TO GRANT HISTORIC MILESTONE 12,000th WISH

Wish Recipient Judah to be Surprised with Brand New Tractor for his Farm On July 6th at the Whimsical Wish-Granting Castle, the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place

Monroe Township, NJ – On Thursday, July 6th, 18-year-old Judah will experience the surprise of a lifetime. His one true wish? To have a brand new, Kubota BX Series 4WD Sub-Compact Tractor, and it will be granted as a complete surprise at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, the wish-granting castle and home of Make-A-Wish New Jersey in Monroe Township (Middlesex County). His tractor will be delivered by wish-granting partners Highway Equipment Company from neighboring Millstone Township. Judah’s wish for a tractor to help him work on his family farm will come true as a complete surprise, in front of his family and 100 Make-A-Wish alumni, staff and friends. Judah’s wish marks a significant and historic milestone for Make-A-Wish New Jersey. Along with Make-A-Wish New Jersey celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, this wish will be the 12,000th wish granted since the chapter’s founding in 1983.

The mission of Make-A-Wish is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Judah courageously battles thalassemia, a life-threatening genetic blood disorder. He lives on a farm where his future goals include cultivating the land, feeding the animals, growing his own vegetables, and preparing his own meals from start to finish.  Judah’s tractor, a specific model he chose, is a brand-new Tractor-Loader-Backhoe. The major highlight of the model is its versatility, which will be ideal for the many different projects Judah intends to use it for – a game-changer for Judah.

Due to Judah’s life-threatening medical condition, his mother Jennie shared that Judah does not often talk about the future or think about what is to come. However, the power of a life-changing wish come true has changed that and his mother shares that this is the first time she has seen him excited about something for his own future, looking ahead and beyond his illness.

Judah and his family will arrive at the Make-A-Wish castle under the guise of a summer party with food, music, games and entertainment for New Jersey wish families, and to sign some additional paperwork for his wish. After a brief tour of the castle, Judah will join the celebration outside, as be surprised as the historic 12,000th wish is officially be granted. Judah’s tractor, driving down the entryway to the Wishing Place by Highway Equipment Company and in front of cheering supporters, will pull up in front of the castle to fulfill Judah’s wish in a grand fashion with confetti cannons, and an emotional celebration for Judah and his entire family.

WHAT:
Surprise Wish-Granting Ceremony & Historic 12,000th Wish Celebration

WHERE:
Make-A-Wish New Jersey
Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place

1384 Perrineville Road
Monroe Township, NJ 08831
(Middlesex County)

WHEN:
Thursday July 6th

12:00PM Media Arrival / Wish Families Arrival
12:30PM Judah Arrival / Brief Tour
1:00PM Surprise Wish Celebration in front of Wishing Place

About Make-A-Wish® New Jersey
Make-A-Wish New Jersey creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the fight against a critical illness, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their journey.  A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. We believe a single wish transforms lives. With their national headquarters based in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 57 chapters serving children in every community in the United States and its territories, and nearly 40 international affiliates serving children on five continents, and over 550,000 wishes granted globally. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted nearly 12,000 wishes since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit nj.wish.org and discover how you can help transform lives, one wish at a time.

About Highway Equipment Company
Highway Equipment Company has been a family-owned and operated business from Day 1, founded in 1933 by DL Reynolds and JF Docherty in Pittsburgh. Today, we are still owned and operated by the Reynolds family, with Thomas H. Reynolds serving as President.  Through the years, Highway Equipment has grown steadily. Continued expansion is part of our overall strategy. We expanded into New Jersey in July 2019, when Harter Equipment, a New Jersey establishment of more than 52 years, joined the Highway family.  Our Millstone branch continues to provide our New Jersey customers with great service, support, and experience for their equipment needs.

Contact:
Michael Dominick, Make-A-Wish New Jersey
[email protected] / 215-272-5032