The 2023 World Wish Day Walk & Roll For Wishes, presented by the Battista Family and Gusto Grill, at American Dream in East Rutherford over 600 supporters and raised over $150,000!

Guests enjoyed a family-friendly event powered by wish families, volunteers, companies, schools, donors and friends. During the program, George Oliphant of NBC’s George to the Rescue celebrated with the audience a recent wish granted through a partnership with Make-A-Wish New Jersey for seven-year-old James Popelka, whose wish was for an accessible movie and gaming room in his home where he could invite his family and friends to join him in his most beloved experience of watching movies.

The event also included a fun and interactive walk inside the unique destination, food, entertainment, and an inspiring program filled with stories and testimonies of wishes come true. At the same time, the Walk & Roll For Wishes showcased the strong community investment of local businesses, organizations and community members who continue to provide the necessary resources to bring the mission of Make-A-Wish to life.

“On World Wish Day, we draw strength and inspiration from our forty years of wish granting, and we remain committed to our vision to reach every eligible child,” shared Tom Weatherall, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “We rely one hundred percent on the benevolence of the community to continue to move our mission forward. We are in the business of restoring hope when it is needed most, and we welcome the generous support of our friends throughout the Garden State to continue to reach more children every year.”

“American Dream is honored to host the first Make-A-Wish New Jersey Walk & Roll For Wishes event since the pandemic,” said Don Ghermezian, CEO of American Dream. “As a family-owned business, we understand how important it is to connect with and draw support from the community and are thrilled to serve as the site that will bring New Jersey residents together to celebrate these incredible, brave kids and their loved ones.”

More photos available on our Facebook page.