Photo: Make-A-Wish-Foundation of New Jersey
During a celebration for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Jersey,Dwayne Johnsonspoke about his father, wrestling legend Rocky Johnson, who was one of the first wish-granters of the chapter some 35 years ago.
TheNew Jersey chapter of the foundationcommemorated their 35th anniversary during a gala on Thursday night, and Johnson sent over a video message from Hawaii to help them mark the occasion.
“Make-A-Wish means something,” Johnson, 46, told the audience. “It’s something very meaningful to me and I hold very, very close to my heart.”
Since his time in the WWE, Johnson has been a major part of the foundation efforts to bring a smile to children with life-threatening medical conditions. He “cheated on his diet” with some Rice Krispies treats for a 13-year-old boy who wanted to share some with him, passed outpersonalized video game systemsto three Make-A-Wisher children for Christmas, andsang to a young boy and girl(even though the boy painfully ignored him!).
But while Johnson has been a long time wish-granter, what many people might not know is that working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation runs through Johnson’s blood.
Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey
“It moved me,” he said. “It changed my life even then as an 11-year-old.”
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Johnson — who is starring in the upcoming film,Skyscraper— said being a wish-granter has been one of the best things of his career.
“I got a pretty cool job and I’m a real lucky guy. I’ve got beautiful kids and I’ve got some people who love me in my life and who I lean on for support,” he told the audience. “But the best part of my job, the best part of my job is granting wishes. It’s the best part of my job and it’s the best part about what I do.”
source: people.com
