Make-A-Wish^® New Jersey

WHAT: Celebrities along with wish kids from Make-A-Wish New Jersey’s 40+ years in the garden state will join with the Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF) for an event to unveil the castle’s newly renovated state of the art theater provided through the Garden of Dreams foundation’s Community Projects program. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners like the Garden of Dreams Foundation, over 12,500 children with critical illnesses in New Jersey experienced the hope and joy of a wish – launching them onto a life-changing journey filled with exciting possibilities. This 20,000 square foot castle, the only one of its kind in the world, stimulates our wish children’s imaginations and allows them to see beyond their current circumstances. The castle has served to augment every facet of how Make-A-Wish New Jersey works to deliver its mission. Through a $250,000 grant from Garden of Dreams, Make-A-Wish NJ’s theatre was revitalized with stateof-the-art equipment, including a new audio system, projectors, digital screens, theatre lighting and a stage curtain. The newly-renovated theatre will be a pivotal stop for Garden of Dreams young people on their journey to Radio City's great stage for the annual GDF Talent Show, with all aspiring Make-A-Wish NJ performers auditioning and rehearsing in the space ahead of their debut at Radio City Music Hall. Make-AWish New Jersey has been a partner of Garden of Dreams since the Foundation’s inception in 2006. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, 2023 Garden of Dreams Talent Show performer and Make-AWish NJ young person Izzy Rita will perform “My Shot” from Hamilton in the refurbished theatre. Izzy will be introduced by TONY Award-nominated actor Christopher Jackson, who originated the role of George Washington in Hamilton and has been a long-time supporter of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, donating his time to help dreams come true for young people in the tristate area.

WHO: Tom Weatherall, President & CEO, Make-A-Wish New Jersey Adam Graves, New York Rangers Legend & Garden of Dreams Board Member Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Hip Hop Legend & Garden of Dreams Board Member Christopher Jackson, TONY Award nominated actor (“Hamilton” & “In the Heights”) Young people from the Garden of Dreams Foundation/Make-A-Wish New Jersey

WHERE: Make-A-Wish New Jersey - 1384 Perrineville Road - Monroe Township, NJ 08831

WHEN: Thursday October 24th 4:30PM Media Arrival 5:00PM Special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 5:30PM Christopher Jackson on stage for special presentation with wish kid 5:35PM Interviews with Adam Graves, Christopher Jackson, wish kids and Make-AWish New Jersey and Garden of Dreams Foundation executives

MEDIA CONTACTS: Chris Bogusz, Make-A-Wish New Jersey [email protected] / 609-371-9474 (p) M E D I A A L E R T Reilly Romanko, Garden of Dreams Foundation [email protected] Danielle Rice, Garden of Dreams Foundation – [email protected]