The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America announced today the organization’s largest-ever gift from an individual donor – a $2 million contribution from Joe and Nancy Plumeri of New Jersey. The Plumeris’ donation, made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and in the construction of new headquarters for the chapter.

Plumeri is chairman and CEO of Willis Group, the global insurance broker, and co-owner of two New Jersey-based minor league baseball teams: the Trenton Thunder and Lakewood Blue Claws, each team being active participants in their surrounding communities.

Earlier this year, he was recognized with the New Jersey chapter’s 2006 Humanitarian of the Year Award. Plumeri said he and his wife were moved to make the gift after seeing the joy that a wish granted brings to children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families.

“It is hard not to be inspired by the Make-A-Wish^® mission, and I am deeply impressed by the passion of the organization’s staff and volunteers,” Plumeri said. “I hope that this commitment encourages others to learn more about the organization and to support its important work. Every eligible child deserves to see their wish come true through the magic and compassion of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

The planned New Jersey chapter headquarters, to be located in MonroeTownship, will be named “The Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place” in honor of Joe’s parents. The facility will include a Wishing Area, a thematic and fun-filled environment in which to facilitate the wish-granting process for children; a volunteer recruitment and training center, and Foundation office and conference space.

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation has long enjoyed the steady support of foundations, companies and individuals. But Joe Plumeri’s unparalleled commitment is dramatic acknowledgment that our work has earned the trust and support of major benefactors,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. “With the help of Joe and others like him, we can bring joy to so many children courageously facing life-threatening medical conditions.”

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring people helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 69 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 145,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish^® .