- VIGIL MASS VOTIVE CANDLE - 

An email will be sent to you with a request for you intention/s.

All intentions will be made from November 2nd to November 9th, 2024

All purchases are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  Please look for a receipt from The AJ Project in your email.

1 CANDLE:   $15.00

2 CANDLES: $30.00

3 CANDLES: $45.00

4 CANDLES: $60.00

5 CANDLES: $75.00 

6 CANDLES: $90.00

7 CANDLES: $105.00

8 CANDLES: $120.00

9 CANDLES: $135.00

10 CANDLES: $150.00

Click here to purchase votive candle and prayer request 

You are cordially invited to

Remember and Honor

all who have been impacted by organ donation

November 2, 2024 - All Souls Day.

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

St Rita's Roman Catholic Church

36-25 11th Street LIC, NY 11106

Hosted by St. Rita's, The AJ Project and LiveOnNY

RSVP is suggested:  www.theajproject.org

•  Send picture and tribute of 40 words or less to be included in the program to [email protected]. A blessing from many faiths will be given and we would like to include your loved one. The AJ Project will be making a program. If you would like to include your loved one's picture and a tribute of 40 words or less please email it to [email protected]. (Free)

• St. Rita's will be offering vigil candles and praying for your loved one by name for the week. If you wish to purchase a vigil candle. A suggested offering for the vigil candle is $15.00  (All purchases are tax deductible). If you wish to purchase one please click here. 

          Press, Additional Photos & Videos Links

The AJ Project's artists driven passion project is #Createfromtheheart

This annual event is held in Queens NY is an homage to AJ's talents in the arts and his final casting call as an organ donor.  The event highlights local emerging and professional singers, dancers and video production teams.  We speak of AJ's organ donation and high light local organ donor recipients and those in need. The event highlights any services, productions and future initiatives that The AJ Project is working on. Visit our AJ Project YouTubechannel to see the talent and productions that made these events special since 2016.

The AJ Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.

2019 Create from the Heart: Thank you to all who came out to support, donated, gave items for auction or raffles and volunteered their time and talents to The AJ Projects 3rd Annual Friend Raiser held April 6, 2019 at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows NY.

The funds raised will pay for the hard cost of running a volunteer organization. This year our mission is to grow our Create from the HeART program and continue to create projects that combined music, dance, video and live production to create a voice to the need for organ donor registration.  

Imagine being handed a recording of your son's last heartbeat. In October 2013, this was a gift Christine Perrelli received from her husband Anthony just hours after their 26-year-old son became an organ donor.  

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month so it was very appropriate for The AJ Project to present this dance piece called Create From the HeART at our annual friend raiser on April 6, 2019.  Thanks to musician Jarvis Green, choreographer Kerry McManus, support from the Corson Family Foundation and volunteers from The AJ Project, our dream of producing a music and dance piece inspired by AJ's heartbeat came to life. This one project brought together so many elements of the AJ Projects mission of connecting and providing support to creative artists and bringing a voice to causes through the arts.

Pictured: L-R Cristina Tumillo, Kerry McManus, Christopher Makens, Liana Kleinman, Dani Cole and Emily Kramm  

The Story of Organ Donation has many sides. Click the link below to see

Lisa Baxter Speaks her truth as a long time dialysis patient and kidney recipient. 

Pictured:  L-R Lisa Baxter, AJ Perrelli (photo) Christine Perrelli

"People ask me why I started the AJ Project and why we choose the arts and to advocate for organ donation. What I tell them is this. Here we are five years later and because of AJ’s story and The AJ Project I can still talk about my son like a proud momma. I get to brag of his accomplishments as an artists and his generosity as a donor.  I always hope that his story will inspire creatives to work hard and give back to the community."  

Christine Perrelli, AJ's mother and  co-founder, The AJ Project

We are an arts org.

We bring professional and emerging artist together to raise funds and awareness to important critical issues and causes. 

We champion the importance of organ donor registration.  

Why? #4AJ 

501(c)3 not for profit 

2019 Create from the heART was brought to you with contributions from

To watch all the performance from the 2019 Create from the HeART - Playlist Here 

Click Performers Pictures for individual performances

Michael Perrelli sings Paint it Black

Erich Schett Sings Invention

Eric Schuett sings Needs to Know

Nick Perrelli sings The Summer Wind

Meghan Jenkins sings At Last

Meghan Jenkins sings Thats Life

Frank Paris - Magician Performs

Blac Diamond Band

Do you want to co-host an event? Reach out to @4theajproject on facebook, instagram or twitter or email info @4theajproject.org

Press- Around Queens Event Coverage

Press - Dance Network

Why organ donation?

* Because of AJ, people world wide registered for organ donation

* When the Perrelli family heard the statistics on donation in our area they were appalled

* Even though you may be registered you family can still refuse your wishes

* Not everyone is able to donate organs but there are other options such as tissue, corneas and bone

In NY/HudsonValley/Long Island Area

In 2013 

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 223 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

In 2018

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 313 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

*Statistics provided by Unos and LiveOnNY 

Why The AJ Project? The simple answer is #4AJ.  

When AJ passed away, a fund was set up to help with his burial costs. After all was done, there was $800 still in the account. AJ's mother promised that any remaining money would be put into a fund for the arts in honor of AJ. The AJ Project was born.

This project exists as an extension of its namesake: AJ Perrelli's love of creating and connecting those who create. AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and artist who left us too soon at 26. His final casting call was as an organ donor. Because of AJ's generosity both in life and after his death, people worldwide were inspired to pursue their passions for the the arts and sign up as organ donors.

The AJ Project is dedicated to the memory of Anthony "AJ" Perrelli (AJ's story)  
August 5, 1987 - October 16, 2013

The AJ Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.

Imagine being handed a recording of your son's last heartbeat. In October 2013, this was a gift Christine Perrelli received from her husband Anthony just hours after their 26-year-old son became an organ donor.  

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month so it was very appropriate for the NYC based non profit for the arts called The AJ Project to present this dance piece called Create From the HeART at their annual friend raiser on April 6, 2019.  Thanks to musician Jarvis Green, choreographer Kerry McManus, support from the Corson Family Foundation and volunteers from The AJ Project, Christine's dream of producing a music and dance piece inspired by AJ's heartbeat came to life. This one project brought together so many elements of the AJ Projects mission of connecting and providing support to creative artists and bringing a voice to causes through the arts.

Create from the heART made its premiere during Organ Donor Awareness Month at the AJ Project's 3rd Annual Friend Raiser for Organ Donor Awareness held at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadow New York.  

"People ask me why I started the AJ Project and why we choose the arts and to advocate for organ donation. What I tell them is this. Here we are five years later and because of AJ’s story and The AJ Project I can still talk about my son like a proud momma. I get to brag of his accomplishments as an artists and his generosity as a donor.  I always hope that his story will inspire creatives to work hard and give back to the community."  

Christine Perrelli, AJ's mother and  co-founder, The AJ Project

We are an arts org.

We bring professional and emerging artist together to raise funds and awareness to important critical issues and causes. 

We champion the importance of organ donor registration.  Why? #4AJ 

501(c)3 not for profit 

Why organ donation?

* Because of AJ, people world wide registered for organ donation

* When the Perrelli family heard the statistics on donation in our area they were appalled

* Even though you may be registered you family can still refuse your wishes

* Not everyone is able to donate organs but there are other options such as tissue, corneas and bone

In NY/HudsonValley/Long Island Area

In 2013 

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 223 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

In 2018

Ranked 50th in the nation for organ donation

only 313 people donated organs

Over 10,000 people on the waiting list

*Statistics provided by Unos and LiveOnNY 

Why The AJ Project? The simple answer is #4AJ.  

When AJ passed away, a fund was set up to help with his burial costs. After all was done, there was $800 still in the account. AJ's mother promised that any remaining money would be put into a fund for the arts in honor of AJ. The AJ Project was born.

This project exists as an extension of its namesake: AJ Perrelli's love of creating and connecting those who create. AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and artist who left us too soon at 26. His final casting call was as an organ donor. Because of AJ's generosity both in life and after his death, people worldwide were inspired to pursue their passions for the the arts and sign up as organ donors.

The AJ Project is dedicated to the memory of Anthony "AJ" Perrelli (AJ's story)  
August 5, 1987 - October 16, 2013

The AJ Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.

Purchase your ticket before March 31, 2019 and win a chance to win a Knicks box seat package valued at $1500.00

For each ticket purchased you will be placed in a drawing for 2 - Lexus Level BOX SEAT tickets to the New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons game on April 10, 2019 at Madison Square Garden. This amazing raffle includes a $20 complimentary credit for food, beverage or merchandise. (tickets can not be sold). We were told dinner is included.  

As an attendee at our event you can purchase additional chances for $10 onsite. Can't attend.  Buy your raffle on our ticket site and you will be entered.  Credit cards will be accepted. 

Drawing will take place at the event on April 6th, 2019.  You do not have to be there to win. 

Thank you for your purchase.

Payment is accepted by Pay Pal and can be paid through your standard credit/debit card. 

Ticket Levels:

$70.00   Buys 1 ticket - So happy you are coming!!!! Find a seat and enjoy!

$100.00 Buy a ticket give a little more. Thanks for coming and Thanks again for your support!

$150.00 Buy a ticket - Donate a ticket to a starving artist. Do this because you really want to feed an actor or musician cause we all know they could use a good meal. 

Reserve a table:

$700.00 Reserves a Table - You get 10 tickets- You collect the money and sit with your friends and family and receive an additional free raffle ticket for making our work easier on us!!!!  

Sponsor a Table or Bar or Event: 

Bar: $300.00 - if we get 5 of these we can have an open bar and how cool would that be?  You can then put your booze money up to buy more raffles!!!

Table: $1500.00 - For your generous gift you get 10 tickets, a reserved table, recognition as a sponsor on social media, website and at the event.  (if purchased before March 31 you will have 4 chances for our Knicks vs. Pistons raffle to be held on April 6th.  See details above)

Audio Visual/Music Sponsor:

$3000.00 - We wont need to yell across the room to get our point across if you sponsor our audio visual. This cost not only covers gear and rentals we could not get donated but also allows us to hire professional tech teams to set up and remove the equipment from the room and bring their excellent talent as techies to our event.  

Event: 

$10,000 - Co-sponsor the Event with The AJ Project.  As a partner you or your company will have signage on all social and event media. Host a table of 10, receive 10 raffle tickets for each seat and a bar tab.

Click here to see 2018 photos and videos

Connecting Creative Artists to Organ Donor Awareness Campaign

https://www.4theajproject.org/nyc_organ_donor_campaign

Thanks to New York City Councilman Paul Vallone, The AJ Project is happy to announce that they will receive a $5000 grant to create a PSA video for organ donor awareness for teens from the District 19 - 2019 Discretionary Fund distribution. Founded in 2014, AJP's mission is to bring professional and emerging artists together to raise funds and awareness around important critical issues and causes. Because of its namesake, professional performer and actor AJ Perrelli, and his gifts of life, using the arts as a way to create a campaign to bring awareness to the need for organ donor registration makes sense.

The AJ Project is continuing to look for sponsors and funding to meet their 2019 goal of $20,000 to expand the program to include a grass roots campaign directed by professionals and driven by teens. It is their hope that businesses and influencers will give their expertise, time, talent and of course money to make this happen.

The AJ Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation.

2nd Annual

AJ Project

Friend Raiser 

Produced by Christine Perrelli

Directed by: Anthony & Michael Perrelli

January 27, 2018 - Astoria World Manor, Astoria NY

On January 27, 2018 over 200 guest came to the second annual AJ Project friend raiser to celebrate the arts and honor AJ Perrelli's legacy as a performer and as an organ donor.

Sponsors:  Live it Up - LiveonNY - Zambrano Productions - The AstorRoom 

Sponsor, Donna Drake, interviews our founder Christine Perrelli about The AJ Project and Create From the Heart.

Our guest were entertained by talent from Broadway shows, the movies and and up and amazing emerging artists.

Top Left: Anthony Perrelli, Drew Seely, Amy Pffrath, Ally Carlson, Christian Musto, Eric Schuett, James Harkness, Christine Perrelli, Kitty Perrelli Left bottom row: Nick Perrelli, Christina Neubrand, Owen Tabaka and Michael Perrelli Not pictured: Photographers: Charlie Kaye and Sam Joseph

click here for performance videos

SUBJECTS OF THE QUEEN 

Ty Tuschen, Guitar - Jacob Fjeldheim, Piano 

Amy Rivard - Singer, Georgia Weber - Bass, Andy Mac - Drums

 The AJ Project brings awareness to the need for organ donors.  In 2013 AJ Perrelli was one of only 239 donors in the greater New York Area*

The greater New York area including Westchester, Nassua and Suffolk counties has the lowest organ donation rate in the country. It is listed as 50th in the nation with Puerto Rico being the only one lower.  Christine Perrelli met Donna McKenna through her work in the arts with The AJ Project.  When they met she had no idea that her husband Tim was on the waiting list for a life saving Kidney.  In 2017 Tim received a donor kidney all the way from Chicago. The AJ Project is proud to bring you their story. 

Donna and Tim McKenna Speak - Click here for video

Friends new and old come to support The AJ Project.  

For more event photos click here

Follow us on       

More below:

-1st Annual Sillage Award -

- AJP Sponsored 2017-18 Boys & Girls Cub Film Art and Media Program -

- More Event Photos -

- A letter from our Founder - 

The AJ Project will be hosting their 2nd Annual Friend Raiser themed Create From the Heart to Create Awareness for the need for Organ and Tissue Donation. Founded in 2014 with the remaining funds raised by friends and family for AJ's burial, The AJ Project cultivates opportunities for emerging and professional creative artists to connect, create and give back to the community. Currently they are teaching an after school film, arts, and media program (F.A.M Club) at the Boys and Girls Club in Queens NY, produce videos for other non profits and create organ donor awareness.

Saturday, January 27, 2018    2-6 pm     Astoria World Manor  25-22 Astoria Blvd, Astoria NY 11102

Tickets: www.4theajproject.org

Click here for bios and pictures of our entertainement

Founded in 2014 with the remaining funds raised by friends and family for AJ's burial, The AJ Project cultivates opportunities for emerging and professional creative artists to connect, create and give back to the community. 

According to Christine Perrelli, founder and mother of their namesake for the organization, the inspiration comes from the giving nature of her son  AJ Perrelli. AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and stage performer who passed away at the young age of 26. His final casting call was as an organ donor. AJ's organ donation set off a ripple effect of donor registration and awareness for the need for donors all over the world. 

When Christine and her husband Anthony were approached about Organ donation they were appalled to find out New York was listed at the bottom of the country for the number of registered organ donors that year and eventually found out that AJ's gifts of life where one of only 213 gifts of life in the NY area received that year. It is their hope that by bringing attention to the need for organ donation that lives will be saved and no other family will have to feel the pain and loss they felt. 

Click here for more info on our performers, musicians, technicians, sponsors

and AJ Project team members.

Click here for information to be a sponsor, donate a raffle item or auction item.   

Click here for more information about organ donation.

The AJ Project is a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

 Questions? email [email protected]

www.theajproject.org

Dear Friends,

The AJ Project cultivates opportunities for emerging and professional creative artists to connect, create and give back to the community. Currently we are teaching an after school film, arts, and media program (F.A.M Club) at the Boys and Girls Club in Queens NY, produce videos for other non profits and create organ donor awareness. Even though we are a volunteer based organization it takes money to make these programs a success. 

On Saturday, January 27th, 2018 we will be hosting our 2nd Annual Friend Raiser themed Create From the Heart and would appreciate your support. Your tax deductible gift of sponsorship, raffle item or auction item will go a long way in helping us reach our goals. 

Last years 1st annual Friend Raiser was a huge success. The afternoon was filled with old and new friends, live entertainment, professionally produced video productions, 2 amazing organ donor recipient guest speakers, great food and 24 raffle items. With only 24 days to plan and 121 guests in attendance we raised enough money to launch the FAM Club and sustain our monthly bills for one year. 

With the success of our 2017 and more time to plan we have set some pretty lofty goals for 2018. With your help, we hope to reach our goals of 300 guests, enough money to cover our operating cost for a year (we are very frugal) buy a few pieces of gear for the FAM Club, a laptop computer, expand our after school program to the summer, start a weekend program open to kids 15 - 18 and hire a small paid staff. It seems like a lot to ask but since our birth in 2014 we have never been shy in setting goals and have achieved most of them. We planned our growth to be slow and steady. This was to assure we set down the correct roots for sustainability and maintain our mission and vision for the future.  

Our inspiration comes from the determination and fearlessness of our name sake AJ Perrelli. AJ was a professional dancer, singer, actor and stage performer who passed away at the young age of 26. His final casting was as an organ donor. Because of AJ both in life and after his death people world wide were inspired to pursue their passions for the the arts and also sign up as organ donors. 

The AJ Project is very thankful to the scores of AJ’s friends, family and colleagues who have supported us these past few years. We are thrilled with the prospect of continuing to widen our reach and share his story in an effort to inspire others to create from the heart. Every little bit helps and every little bit is one more young person we can teach, one more emerging artist we can support and one more opportunity for The AJ Project to make a positive contribution to our community. 

From our heart to yours we look forward to adding your name and your energy to our cast of supporters.

VIP Partner: $5000

Co-sponsor of the Event, logo or name listed on all event materials including step and repeat, print and social media materials, highlight story on AJP blog and social media, logo featured on website, social media and print materials for one year, opportunity for sponsor to speak at the event, meet and greet and photo ops with talent, 2 reserved tables with 4 bottles of wine on each. 20 VIP tickets to the event.

Video Production Sponsor: $4000.00 

Producer Credit on our Organ Donor Campaign Video, Logo listed on all event materials including step and repeat, print and social media materials, highlight story on AJP blog and social media, logo featured on website, social media and print materials for one year, opportunity for sponsor to speak at the event, meet and greet and photo ops with talent. Reserved tables with 2 bottles of wine on each. 8 VIP tickets to the event.

Gold Sponsor $3000

Logo listed on all event materials including step and repeat, social media recognition, logo featured on website and event pages, meet and greet and photo op with talent. Reserved table with 4 bottles of wine. 10 VIP tickets to the event.

Audio Visual Sponsor $2000.00 or Gear (equivalent in kind donations of services and/or gear accepted)

Logo or name listed on all event materials including step and repeat, print and social media materials, highlight story on AJP blog and social media, logo featured on website, social media and print materials for one year, opportunity for sponsor to speak at the event, meet and greet and photo ops with talent. Reserved tables with 2 bottles of wine on each. 8 VIP tickets to the event.

Sponser a Table $1500

Logo or Name listed on all event materials, logo featured on website and event pages, meet and greet and photo op with talent. Reserved table with 2 bottles of wine. 8 VIP tickets to the event and donate 2 to our volunteer staff. 

Volunteer Sponsor $300.00 

Buys four meals for our volunteer staff. Logo or Name listed on all event materials, logo featured on website and event pages,

Bartender Fee Sponsor $ 250.00

We are charged a fee outside of the per person cost and would love to have that covered. Your name/logo will be placed on the bar and on all event materials. 

Raffle and Auction Items:  Please click on the Raffle/Auction link for more information.