Dozens of awards and medals were presented to the top finishers in the fourth annual Woodbridge Turkey Trot, but the real winners of Saturday’s charity event are Middlesex County children in need.

All proceeds from the 5K race at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, which was run along the scenic waterfront of the township’s Sewaren section, benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

Since its inception seven years ago, the foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Please click HERE to view a gallery of photos from the Woodbridge Turkey Trot

Thomas Schulz, a former standout from Roxbury High School who is currently a senior at Monmouth University, where he is a Division I scholarship runner for the school’s cross country and track and field teams, posted the fastest overall time for men. Schulz clocked in at 16:18.33.

Jordyn Collie, a sophomore from Fords who competes in cross country and track and field at Franklin & Marshall College, had the top time among female participants. The former Mount Saint Mary Academy standout crossed the finish line in 19:59.64.

Please click HERE for complete race results

Race sponsors included the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, Wegmans, The Club at Woodbridge, and The Woodbridge Community Center.

The township’s recreation department and Runners High of Metuchen organized the race, which afforded more than 200 Turkey Trot participants who braved the chilly morning air an opportunity to work off extra calories gained during Thanksgiving feasts.

Awards were presented to the top three overall male and female runners, and to the top three male and female performers in nine age groups ranging from 14-and-under to 80-and over.

All participants received a commemorative Turkey Trot long-sleeved shirt and complementary wristband from The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which is eternally grateful for the outstanding support it has received from the entire Woodbridge community.

Woodbridge has hosted charity all-star football and basketball games and a charity bowling tournament benefiting the nonprofit. Countless student-athletes and coaches from the township’s three high schools have participated in fundraising events and drives for the foundation.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, 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.

The foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors – 13 of whom are graduates of Woodbridge Township high schools – and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation received the YMCA of MEWSA’s 2023 Barnes Community Champion Award and the Edison Chamber of Commerce named the nonprofit its 2024 Organization of the Year. Earlier this year, Hands of Hope for the Community recognized The Marisa Tufaro Foundation for its “dedicated efforts in fostering positive change within the community” as the honoree of its annual fundraiser.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.

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. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.

“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the Woodbridge community,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who is the foundation’s executive director.

“We don’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. The kindness and generosity of Woodbridge residents has been extraordinary. We can’t thank township officials and race organizers enough for adopting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as their beneficiary.

“We hope the benevolence of the entire Woodbridge community is exponentially returned.”