In Valor, There Is Hope
First responders have always held a significant place in Make-A-Wish history. Its founding was inspired by a seven-year-old boy in Phoenix, Arizona named Chris Greicius, who was battling leukemia. Chris always wanted to be a police officer, and members of law enforcement gathered to create a life-changing day for him, a day that inspired those involved to create what would become known as Make-A-Wish. Soon after, the first official wish granted was for another seven-year-old boy named Frank “Bopsy” Salazar, also battling leukemia, who wished to be a firefighter.
Over this past year, right here in New Jersey, we were brought back to those humble beginnings.
Last August, two young children who had never met, Samaree and Dalton, shared the same noble wish - to be police officers. Samaree, battling sickle-cell disease, wanted to wear a uniform and “save somebody.” Dalton, facing a seizure disorder, wanted to “catch bad guys.”
The boys’ wishes were granted in partnership with the New Jersey State Police, with a police motorcade, visits with their local hometown police departments and trainings at the New Jersey State Police Headquarters. Then, in front of over 100 law enforcement officers representing over 50 departments from local, county, state and federal agencies, the culmination of the day’s activities took place at the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, home of Make-A-Wish New Jersey, where they were sworn in by New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan, with Make-A-Wish New Jersey President & CEO Tom Weatherall, Chairman & CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, former Board Chair of Make-A-Wish America and Wish Dad John Crowley, and wish alum Megan Crowley on stage as well for the momentous occasion.
New Jersey State Police coordinated a helicopter flyover above the castle and a presentation of patches from every law enforcement department in attendance. The historic day included a Pipes & Drums procession, and a motor vehicle arrest by Samaree and Dalton when they learned that the wishing crystal had been stolen from the castle.
Fast forward one year, to when nine-year-old Antonio, who courageously faced end stage renal disease and received a kidney transplant from his father, was granted his one true wish – to be a firefighter. Antonio’s wish came true, thanks to the generosity and dedication of his hometown of Passaic along with firefighting communities from across the state and beyond. After a morning filled with special firefighting activities including putting out a real fire with Passaic Fire Department and a special ceremony with the Mayor, Antonio was escorted via a motorcade with his family to the Wishing Place in Monroe Township.
Antonio was elated to step out of the Fire Chief’s vehicle and walk down a receiving line with over 100 firefighters, in uniform, standing side by side to welcome him. Antonio stepped onto the stage, joining Make-A-Wish New Jersey President & CEO Tom Weatherall, Passaic Fire Department Chief Patrick Trentacost, and Monroe Township Fire Department Captain Jim Grande for a swearing-in ceremony and the fulfilling of his wish in front of his new firefighting family.
Antonio’s heroism was immediately called upon, when he was needed to help save the day and rescue a princess from the balcony of the castle. Antonio boarded the ladder truck without delay, rose into the sky and made his very first rescue as an official firefighter. Upon their return to the ground, Antonio was greeted with cheers, recognizing his courage, bravery, and selfless dedication to answer a call for help.
Samaree, Dalton and Antonio’s wishes are a reminder that children look up to their heroes, and we stand on the shoulders of our founding members, our heroes, who inspire us daily to bring hope, strength and joy into the lives of children with critical illnesses – over 500,000 deserving children around the globe since those first days of Make-A-Wish over 40 years ago.
