AJ Project

Www.4theajproject.org. 501(c)3 non profit org located in NYC. We create from the HeART .

The 501(c)3 non profit was set up to honor it's namesake AJ Perrelli, a professional dancer, actor and singer who passed away in 2013 at the age of 26. .

Address

Astoria, NY
11106

Telephone

+14076309801

Website

http://www.4theajproject.org/give4aj

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Our Story

We are an arts org. We connect creative artists to causes. We create Organ Donor Awareness.

Like most moms I love to brag about my four kids on Facebook. In this case, and on this page I do it to keep my eldest son AJ’s memory and legacy alive. AJ was only 26 when he passed away in 2013.

We are an arts org. We teach kids how to make videos and movies and we create awareness for the need for Organ and Tissue Donation. Why both? AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and stage performer. Yeah I know a triple threat. Well actually the kid loved anything music, art and creative. He played trumpet, drums and studied as a silk performer as well as a stilt walker, did some modeling and was a fantastic photographer. He loved to cook and thought that the thrift store was his custom suit shop. I always said “THE ARTS CHOSE HIM”.

Each of these passions served him well. He traveled the world, worked professionally on stage and just a year and a half before his death completed a conservatory acting program from a world renown acting school in NYC. He was what we call a working artistic professional. He worked hard, trained hard and paid his bills (most of the time) with money made from his creative work. Unfortunately, he never got to realize his life long dream of being on Broadway. It would have happened though. The call and the emails came the same week he was hospitalized. They had no idea that AJ fell. That sucked.

AJ’s final casting call was as an organ donor. His gifts of life saved or changed the lives of 7 families. When we agreed to organ donation we had no idea that NYC was last in the country in organ donation registries. That appalled us. AJ was one of only 213 people who gave the gift of life in 2013 in the tri-state area while 10,000 people were on the waiting list. I couldn't believe it. His story inspired others to register, speak about it to their families and have the conversation. Like I said I love to brag about my kids and telling AJ’s story about organ donation is an easy one. His gifts of life make him a true hero!

AJ was happiest around his tribe of creatives. I was happiest seeing him happy. He loved performing on stage. I loved watching him. He was so passionate about his acting studies and growth. It was part of our weekly Sunday dinner conversation. He loved creating characters, the dressing up and playing parts for live events. I have so many pictures because of this. He made great friends. I now have made great friends. They showed up and still do.

People ask me why I created The AJ Project. Through my work at The AJ Project I pay tribute to my son. I get to help create that feeling that AJ had for the arts for others. Maybe I can help them find their passion or their new BFF or just lend them some support or make a connection. Most of all I get to do this and brag about my son’s accomplishments. I have succeeded.

Thank you for reading this letter and once again allowing me to brag about my son. I am a proud momma. Christine