Giants running back Saquon Barkley makes wish come true in Monroe

BY Christopher Lang, Correspondent, @topherlang2, MonroeNow, April 29, 2019

MONROE – A 14-year-old received a special surprise on Saturday when he met his favorite football player, New York Giant’s star running back Saquon Barkley.

The meeting arranged through the Make-A-Wish New Jersey organization included a visit from Giants’ players Evan Engram, tight end; Nate Solder, offensive tackle; Chad Wheeler, offensive tackle; and Will Hernandez, offensive guard.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey kid Jared, 14, meets star New York Giants’ player and running back Saquon Barkley on Saturday in at the foundation site in Monroe. Jared’s wish was to meet the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Photo Courtesy of Michael Ehrmann

The encounter timed with the Giants’ broadcasting its NFL draft picks for rounds four through six from the Make-A-Wish location in Monroe, officially known as The Samuel & Josephine Plumeri Wishing Place, a castle-like facility that is the only one of its kind in the organization.

The main highlight of the day came when 14-year-old Jared’s wish to meet Barkley came true.

“In front of his family and nearly 200 hundred wish kids and family members, Jared and Saquon were introduced for the first time,” the New Jersey chapter said.

As part of Jared’s wish, he will “spend an exciting weekend with the team at a practice and home game – a VIP treatment the Giants have continued to provide to wish children like Jared for years,” the chapter said.

“Our special relationship with the New York Football Giants has always been one we hold in the highest regard,” said Tom Weatherall, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “Simply put, they have long set the bar for excellence when called upon to grant wishes. The Giants have always been there for us and for our mission, and we are honored to call them our friends. Our wish families were thrilled to be part of today’s festivities, and to welcome Big Blue back to the castle.”