A group of Monmouth County businesses want residents to take their “best shot” towards making one little boy’s dream come true.
The Winners Circle chapter of Business Networking International (BNI) has organized “Make a Shot, Make a Wish,” a basketball-themed fundraiser that will help fund the wish of three-year-old Juan to travel to Walt Disney World.
The four-hour fundraiser starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 8, at the Monroe 33 Tennis, Basketball & Sports Center on 4 Farrington Boulevard in Monroe. Attendees pay for the chance to participate in various basketball shooting contests, such as Around the World, Knockout, and long distance shooting. The event is specifically designed for people of all ages, including children nine years and under.
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Skillful players could win prizes ranging from jewelry to gift certificates to a country club membership and a weekend getaway at a Jersey Shore inn. The grand prize is a week’s stay at Disney World with accommodations for eight people and a six day pass to all attractions for a family of four. The overall package is valued at roughly $10,000. All of the prizes came through private donations.
BNI Winners Circle Chapter President Christine Schultz says she got the idea after watching her daughter play basketball at the Monroe facility. “Our chapter was already looking for a charitable activity to support,” says Schultz. “When I noticed the Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place located across the street from the sports center and found out it was the new headquarters for Make-A-Wish New Jersey, I thought I would investigate how to get involved.”
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Once the Sports Center indicated that it would make its space available for the event, the networking group quickly rallied around the cause. Individual members donated $3,500, plus various services, including newspaper advertisements, T-shirts and a banner. The event organizers hope to raise an additional $7,000 to allow Juan to fulfill his wish to meet Woody from the movie “Toy Story.”
“It was great to see how the group came together around this great cause. It’s really fantastic to make someone’s wish come true,” says Schultz, who is a local title agent and nutritionist who lives in Holmdel.
With chapters located in over 50 countries, BNI calls itself the largest business networking organization in the world. Its members include a wide range of businesses and professionals, who meet regularly to share ideas, contacts, and business referrals.
The BNI Winners Circle chapter meets every Thursday at the Bella Vista Country Club in Marlboro. If you would like to learn more about group or the “Make a Shot, Make a Wish" event, you can contact Christine Schultz at 908.309.9063.
