As Old Bridge’s Student Senate President, Joseph Lanzafama initiated a meeting between The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s leadership and the high school’s administration, expressing a desire to recreate a charity event to benefit the nonprofit.

Lanzafama recalled attending, as a 10-year-old youngster, the Old Bridge Holiday Knight Toy Drive during the high school football team’s 2017 season-opener, at which new and unwrapped toys were collected for pediatric patients.

The first charity event benefiting the newly established Marisa Tufaro Foundation, the 2017 toy drive game was a resounding success. The undertaking, however, was so massive in scope and detailed in logistics that no attempt was ever made to replicate it, until Lanzafama broached the subject.

“I remembered bringing toys to donate and feeling positive about being able to help other children,” Lanzafama said of the charity game during the 2017 season, when his father, Anthony, was the Knights’ head football coach.

“I knew I wanted to bring that back to Old Bridge High School.”

Lanzafama’s meeting with the high school principal, athletics director, football coach and Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s executive director laid the groundwork for a second Old Bridge Holiday Knight Toy Drive, this one taking place during a Sept. 13, 2024, home game against Piscataway.

The event was another tremendous success, generating hundreds of toys and gift cards, which were donated to Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center in Edison for distribution during the holiday season and beyond. The donations have since filled the needs of pediatric inpatients and visitors to the hospital’s pediatric emergency department, who can benefit any time of year from a diversion during treatments, medical procedures and extended admissions.

For his herculean efforts in spearheading the toy drive, his extensive volunteer work with other children in need, incredible academic success, and prowess as a varsity athlete, Lanzafama has been named the recipient of a 2025 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Community Service Scholarship.

Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $400,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and under-resourced children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, school supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $37,000 in academic scholarships to 51 inspirational high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

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.

An Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in multiple extracurricular activities, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired.

The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.

In making the 2024 Old Bridge Holiday Knight Toy Drive come to fruition, Lanzafama served as the point person, coordinating efforts between the high school’s Student Senate, Peer Leadership Program, individual classes, cheerleading team, dance team, marching band, football stadium public address announcer, and others.

“What truly sets Joseph apart is his servant leadership, most notably through his work organizing the Holiday Knight Toy Drive,” Old Bridge Township Councilman Erik DePalma said. “Joseph took a lead role from start to finish. He coordinated with the Board of Education, school administrators, township officials, and foundation leadership to ensure the event’s success. He mobilized the entire school community, promoted the event through announcements and outreach, and inspired hundreds of students, parents, and staff members to contribute.

“Thanks to Joseph’s efforts, the drive collected hundreds of toys and generous monetary donations, bringing joy to children hospitalized at JFK University Medical Center. His dedication and organizational skills turned a vision into a truly impactful reality and demonstrated maturity and heart far beyond his years.”

For the 2024 Holiday Knight Toy Drive, volunteers from the high school, including students and staff, adorned the stadium’s entrance, press box, bleachers, and concession stand with holiday decorations. The school distributed to the first 500 Old Bridge students in attendance white-trimmed purple Santa hats bearing the high school’s logo (purple is the official color of both Old Bridge High School and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation). A snowmaking machine created a festive atmosphere for spectators entering the stadium as holiday music played in the background. Students came dressed in holiday garb – including Lanzafama as Santa Claus – and the marching band played holiday tunes. By night’s end, an entire box truck had been filled with toys.

Lanzafama’s benevolence was not limited to the Holiday Knight Toy Drive. As a member of Project Unify, he participates in a program that fosters inclusion with students of all abilities. He also volunteers as a tutor and to help coach the Old Bridge Youth Lacrosse Association.

Owner of a 4.667 grade-point average who scored 1360 on the SAT, Lanzafama is a member of the English, Math, History, Italian, and National Honor Societies. Old Bridge’s 2025 NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete award honoree, Lanzafama also served throughout the academic year as the high school’s student representative at township board of education meetings.

“Because of Joseph’s hard work, enthusiasm, and care for the community, he was elected to represent the student body as President of Old Bridge High School,” said Lanzafama’s lacrosse coach, Andrew Borriello. “This is no small feat in a class of almost 700 in a school with almost 3,000.”

“I’ve known Joseph for many years. I was his lacrosse coach, and he attended my summer clinics when he was in middle school. Even then his leadership, hard work, and positive attitude was contagious. He always gives his best effort and always carries himself with integrity. Just like in the classroom, Joseph takes every opportunity to improve. With this effort and leadership, Joseph earned three varsity letters and the role of captain for his senior season.”

The 2024 Holiday Knight Toy Drive does not define Lanzafama, but represents a microcosm of his leadership, teamwork, intelligence, compassion, humility, and generosity of spirit.

“Seeing the kindness from so many groups of people to make this event a success reminds me that people working together can have a positive effect on children and the community,” Lanzafama said. “When children feel they are loved, they will grow up to be adults who give that love. My hope is maybe even one of the children who was a recipient of the toys will remember that and pay it forward one day themselves.

“I was overjoyed to be given the opportunity to take the initiative and help coordinate an event for such a wonderful cause through the Marisa Tufaro Foundation. I can remember how good I felt donating a toy back when I was 10 years old, but the feeling I had being able to organize something that was able to have such a large impact is a feeling I will carry with me forever.”