Make-A-Wish Opens Fairy Tale Castle in Monroe Township

Casey Markowitz, 17, a Mount Olive resident, was awarded the 7,000th wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey on Friday, Dec. 2 at the official opening of "The Wishing Place" in Monroe Township. Markowitz got to meet Buddy Valastro, "The Cake Boss" at the center stage of "The Wishing Place".

A crowd of over 300 were surprised when Valastro presented a large cake in the shape of the exterior of the castle. The reality-star baker promised to return to "The Wishing Place" and offer baking programs for wish kids.

“It is good to give back, to see the joy on peoples’ faces,” Valastro said. “It means the world to me. I am so proud of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey. It’s all about the kids, giving them the strength to fight.”

Joseph Plumeri, Chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings donated $3 million to fund the project, which was the first seven-figure donation the Make-A-Wish Foundation has ever received. Phil Ciarco, Chairman of the capital campaign, said that 7.5 percent of the project cost must still be raised.

Plumeri spoke at the official opening of the castle to a standing ovation.

“When I drove up the driveway here, I felt good,” Plumeri said. “I am a Jersey guy and this place is New Jersey. It made me feel good that I had something to do with it.”

"The Wishing Place" is named in honor of Plumeri's parents, Samuel and Josephine, and the main lobby of the castle is named in honor of his late son, Christian.

John Crowley, a national Make-A-Wish Board Member, also spoke at the opening. He said that the New Jersey chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation "is one of the charity's shining stars." Crowley also took the time to mention that the foundation did not take any money away partitioned to grant wishes to guarantee funding for the construction of the 20,000 square foot castle.

A local developer, Jack Morris, donated 14 acres of land to "The Wishing Place". Morris said, “you gave me the opportunity to do such a beautiful thing," at the opening.

President and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, Tom Weatherall, said "The Wishing Place" will raise awareness of the charity's mission and help to inspire future wish kids.

“Seriously ill children have great difficulty thinking beyond their present circumstances, beyond the four walls of their hospital room or family living room," Weatherall said. “Understandably, their illness often stifles their imagination,” he said.  “They need our help.”

"The Wishing Well" features include:

• A multi-purpose room/theater for special performances; volunteer trainings, wish family gatherings and bon voyage celebrations
• The Chris Greicius Inspiration Room, for the eyes of wish kids only, designed to stimulate the imagination
• The Wishing Room, another private place where a child declares his or her wish in a high-tech room like they’ve ever encountered
• An expansive courtyard where picnics, outdoor concerts and other special celebrations will be held
• The Pond of Hope, where wish kids can enjoy the serenity of the water.

“This castle now serves as a beacon of hope, strength, and joy for those children who face life-threatening illnesses," Weatherall said. "They know Make-A-Wish is here from them.”