The crosstown rival Edison and J.P. Stevens high school girls basketball teams, who are both ranked among the Top 5 in Middlesex County, will be uniting to collect baby care items prior to their game on Saturday for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation to donate to the Ozanam Family Shelter.

The Ozanam Family Shelter, located in Edison, can accommodate 16 single women and 26 families. The facility provides residents with temporary and emergency lodging, meals, physical and mental health assessments, crisis counseling, assistance with housing, employment and children’s educational placement, case management and referrals.

The baby care items, including diapers and wipes, will be collected as spectators enter the gymnasium at J.P. Stevens High School for the game against Edison, which tips off at noon.

Since its inception 18 months ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has already made a profound impact, donating more than $60,000 and spearheading several community initiatives to help pediatric patients and other children in need.

Marisa Tufaro, who would have been a sophomore at Edison High School this year, died in January 2017 at the age of 13 following a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer after a heart transplant.

Her mother, Cyndi, a 1988 Edison graduate and longtime educator in the township’s school district, and father Greg, a longtime Home News Tribune sportswriter, established the tax-exempt nonprofit in Marisa’s loving memory.

Despite keeping hundreds of doctor’s appointments and being hospitalized for more than two years, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired. She attended James Monroe Elementary School and Herbert Hoover Middle School.

“Our team philosophy is to fight to the end and to never give up,” Edison head coach Frank Eckert said. “It’s the type of thinking that has given our team so much success. I’ve had the chance to meet Marisa a few times throughout the years and she truly was a confident person that would always push forward past any obstacle. Marisa was also a very generous person, which is why our team felt so compelled to be a part of the foundation’s mission.”

Owner of a 6-1 record, J.P. Stevens is currently ranked No. 2 in the Home News Tribune Top 10. The Hawks’ victories include a win over incumbent Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament semifinalist East Brunswick.

Edison, which reached last year’s league tournament final, owns a 4-3 record with all of its losses coming to nonconference foes.