NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT Track & Field club team and the Varsity Cross Country have teamed together to make the 1st Annual 24 Hour "Make A Wish Foundation" relay a reality. This inaugural event will take place on Friday May 5th at 8 am on the Lubetkin field track and will end on Saturday morning at 8 am.

Team members will take turns carrying the baton around the track for 24 hours. Coaches will be on hand to provide support and even run as necessary in order to keep the relay going. The event will be broken into seventy-two 20-minute segments. Team members will sign up for various time slots, some slots will be shared among "less distance oriented team members" (our throwers and sprinters) while our cross country distance runners will take on multiple continuous slots. Team members will also get sponsors for the event either in the form of a per lap donations (multiplied by the total number of laps completed in 24 hours) or a flat amount.

The cross country team is not new to being involved in community service projects. In its short 3 year history (since Coach Alonso's arrival) it has been involved in no less than 7 projects. "It was only appropriate for the Track & Field team to end the season on the same note" according to track & field coach Alonso.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 144,000 children worldwide. Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.

A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enables the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fund raisers, special events assistants, and in numerous other capacities.

As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present, and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.

If anyone wishes to make a donation or participate in the relay, contact Coach Alonso via email at Alonso@njit.edu.