More than 850 brand new children’s books will be delivered to Middlesex County medical providers to give to income-challenged parents and their children as part of New Jersey’s Reach Out and Read program.

The books are being purchased and donated through a fundraiser The Marisa Tufaro Foundation conducted during October, which happens to be National Book Month, in partnership with the Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas Aquinas high school football programs.

The teams used their big game on Oct. 19 and the weeks leading up to it to heighten awareness about early childhood literacy.

The community service initiative, which included players and cheerleaders visiting Saint John Vianney and Saint James schools in Woodbridge Township to read aloud to elementary students, generated $3,000 for the cause.

Students and staff at Saint John Vianney, who have supported The Marisa Tufaro Foundation since its inception, generously jumpstarted the fundraiser with a $600 donation from a dress down day at the school.

Monetary donations were collected online and at the gate on the day of the football game.

“The amazing students and staffs from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School and Saint Joseph’s High School rallying together around the cause of early literacy is a beautiful example of community spirit,” said Kim Byam, Executive Director of Reach Out and Read New Jersey. “We have been so humbled and inspired to be part of this project.”

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation fully matched the schools’ fundraising total to purchase the new books, which will be donated to medical providers in Middlesex County who dedicate their time and expertise to educate and encourage income-challenged parents to read aloud to their children.

As part of a well-child visit at 100 participating health clinics statewide, the Reach Out and Read program incorporates reading into pediatric care, providing children from birth to 5 years of age and their families with free books and resources that promote early childhood literacy.

Comprehensive Pediatrics in Edison, Star Life Pediatrics in the Hopelawn section of Woodbridge, Central Jersey Medical Center in Perth Amboy, and Zufall Health Center in Plainsboro are among the Middlesex County clinics that will benefit from the donated books.

“I congratulate the players, cheerleaders and coaches from both high schools for using their big game to heighten awareness about this important initiative,” State Senator Patrick Diegnan said. “This outstanding literacy program provides parents with free books to read aloud to their children, giving them a foundation for success in school and life. Reading books out loud to your child is also a wonderful way to bond and stimulate their interest in reading. I could not be prouder of both school communities for working together for this excellent cause.”

During a visit earlier this year to a Middlesex County clinic where he learned about New Jersey’s Reach Out and Read program, State Senator Patrick Diegnan reads a book aloud to pediatric patients.

More than 1 in 3 children nationwide start kindergarten without the language skills needed to learn to read, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The academy recommends pediatric providers promote early literacy development for children beginning in infancy and continuing through kindergarten.

Reach Out and Read facilitates that goal, making available in nearly 30 different languages free books that are representative of the broad spectrum of children and families the program serves. The stories are relevant and engaging, accurately reflect and affirm a diverse range of identities, cultures, and histories, and contain colorful illustrations that resonate with young children.

Despite being born with a severe cardiac defect that required six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s namesake was an avid reader who inherited an affinity for books from her parents. They read daily to Marisa at home and in the hospital when she was an infant and toddler.

Marisa Tufaro, who succumbed to a rare form of cancer in 2017 at the age of 13 following a valiant battle, was hospitalized for more than two years and maintained hundreds of doctors’ appointments. Reading played a paramount role in Marisa overcoming her medical challenges to become an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student.

Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the Saint Joseph, Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint John Vianney school communities,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who is the foundation’s executive director and the principal at James Monroe Elementary School in Edison.

“This particular fundraiser has added meaning because of the profound impact reading had on Marisa and the role books played in her life,” said Marisa’s father, Greg, a former sportswriter for USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey. “Our nonprofit considers itself honored to be able to provide the gift of literacy to children and families in need.

“We can’t thank everyone enough who donated to the cause and hope their benevolence is exponentially returned.”