As the state’s best scholastic bowling team, Saint Joseph of Metuchen registered unmatched statistics last season.
The varsity student-athletes posted another impressive number during a charity tournament on Friday, pairing with the high school’s Partners in Mission (faculty and staff) at Bowlero North Brunswick to assist food insecure families.
In collaboration with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, the school-community and nonprofit used the event as a fundraiser from which they will donate more than $4,200 to Hands of Hope for the Community.
Committed to providing an efficient and centralized system for distributing food to combat hunger throughout Middlesex County, Hands of Hope for the Community will utilize the donation for feeding families in need this holiday season.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE EVENT
According to the latest data from Feeding America, more than 60,000 Middlesex County residents, including 12,000 children, are food insecure. On the heels of the pandemic, escalating fuel costs and rising inflation rates have exacerbated the issue.
“I’m so proud of our students, faculty and staff for partnering with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in the inaugural Turkey Bowl in support of Hands of Hope for the Community,” Saint Joseph President John G. Nolan Jr. said.
“Hands of Hope for the Community plays a vital role in the distribution of food to the less fortunate in our community year-round. We often hear or read about families and individuals going hungry on a daily basis. Thanks to the selfless work of Hands of Hope for the Community and its dedicated volunteers, we are winning the fight against hunger in Central Jersey.”
Hands of Hope for the Community President Charles Tomaro joined fellow board members Aaron Mansbach, Raghu Naik, Kush Patel, and Jennifer Turbitt in attending the Turkey Bowl, which was contested in a pro-am format with members of the varsity bowling program pairing with Saint Joseph faculty or staff.
Senior EJ Chin and Director of Communications and Marketing Tim LeCras emerged from a pool of 12 paired teams to win the tournament, claiming the Golden Pin Award for which the Saint Joseph bowling program will have to make room in its already crowded trophy case.
The Turkey Bowl marked a triumphant return for Saint Joseph to Bowlero North Brunswick, where the Falcons last season claimed the program’s first ever state group title and won the unofficial Tournament of Champions crown.
Saint Joseph finished the 2022-23 campaign with an unblemished 20-0 record that included winning the Central Jersey Group I, Greater Middlesex Conference, Central Jersey Winter Classic, and Joe Romer Memorial tournaments.
The team’s three-game average pinfall of 3,309 was an astonishing 222 pins better than New Jersey’s second highest averaging team. Current sophomores Will Cunningham and Kai Strothers finished first and second in the entire state among regular-season average leaders last season, while Strothers defeated teammate Devon Kiessling to win the 2022-23 state individual title.
“The level of dominance St. Joe’s had within their sport can only be considered historic,” NJ.com reported, noting the team enters this season having to replace just one starter. “The bar will only be raised.”
Out of the more than two dozen boys and girls varsity sports the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association officially recognizes, NJ.com named the Saint Joseph bowling squad its 2023 Overall Team of the Year, a remarkable accomplishment for a school with a storied sports history.
“The bowling team is obviously the pride and joy of St. Joes,” LeCras said. “It was great to see everyone rally around them last year. When I heard they were doing this (fundraising) event, we (faculty and staff) were very excited to join in. The boys are learning very quickly to use their time, talent, and treasure to help people. We all came together and are very excited to help a great cause.”
In addition to Chin and LeCras, pairings for the tournament included Devon Kiessling and Mrs. Petra Jones, Will Cunningham and Mr. Nick Romanak, Zander Kozak and Mr. Roel Mercado, Jason Park and Mr. Charles Neri, Joey Lamoreaux and Mr. Josh Rogan, Josh Lamoreaux and Mrs. Alicia Bonelli, Ryan Abbott and Mr. Randal Regan, Brian Burke and Ms. Persis Bessada, Caeleb Chendorain and Mr. David Arva, Coach Rusty Thomsen and Ms. Tracey Coudriet, Brendan Sosinski and Mr. Chris Harring.
A selfless and humble individual who epitomizes the benevolent spirit of the school-community, Harring organized the charity bowling tournament. Chair of Saint Joseph’s English Department, Harring has orchestrated other fundraisers that have benefited The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, including an annual flag football game.
Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived an inspirational life.
The foundation established in her loving memory is a fitting way for Marisa’s parents, Cyndi and Greg, who is a Saint Joseph alumnus, to keep alive their daughter’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.
Since its inception six years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area, has donated more than $300,000 to fulfill its mission.
In addition, the foundation has also spearheaded multiple community initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.
The foundation has also awarded $29,500 in college academic scholarships to 42 Middlesex County high school graduates including Saint Joseph alumni.
Sports programs from the high school, including its basketball, ice hockey, swimming, football, golf, and baseball teams, have joined the Saint Joseph Campus Ministry and student council to make significant contributions to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
“Service to others plays a significant role in the life of every student who attends Saint Joe’s,” Nolan said. “I am proud of our young men as they give so generously of their time, talents and treasure each time a worthy cause is presented to them.
“That’s the Saint Joe’s way.”