As the recipient of a Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, J.P. Stevens High School’s Aaron Bansal received a commemorative plaque and $500 from The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation to donate in his name to the charity of his choice that assists Middlesex County children in need.
Bansal selected the YMCA of MEWSA (Metuchen-Edison-Woodbridge-South Amboy) as his beneficiary. The program is near and dear to his heart.
“The Y has been a big part of my journey ever since I moved (in the fourth grade) to New Jersey and Edison,” Bansal said. “My parents enrolled me in several programs within the YMCA. I played basketball. My sister used to go to day care there. I was part of a couple of summer camps. Overall, I just loved the experience. I met some of my closest friends through the YMCA. Now, I go to the gym here pretty much every day.”
Bansal personally delivered his $500 check to YMCA of MEWSA President and CEO Rose Cushing at the Metuchen branch on Wednesday night.
“Donating to the YMCA was a pretty easy choice,” Bansal said. “I really believe in the cause, what we are really doing (with the funds) for children that can’t really afford it.”
From childcare to wellness and enrichment, the YMCA of MEWSA offers vital programs and services to thousands of members and residents that promote healthy living, social responsibility, and foster youth development.
“Through the fulfillment of its broad-based and all-encompassing mission, the YMCA of MEWSA is exemplary, setting a standard of excellence to which all nonprofits, including The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, can aspire,” said, Cyndi Tufaro, the foundation’s executive director. “Fittingly, Aaron is a shining example for others of leadership, integrity and the YMCA’s other core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.”
For exhibiting compassion, generosity, inclusiveness, and other qualities of benevolence, Bansal was honored with the Kindness Counts Award during the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 23rd Annual Sportsmanship Awards Luncheon at The Pines Manor in Edison last month.
The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, who partnered with the conference to sponsor the award, presented Bansal with his $500 check and commemorative plaque.
An attacking center midfielder on the J.P. Stevens varsity soccer team, Bansal has been involved in myriad extracurricular and volunteer activities.
“His outstanding character is demonstrated by his community service commitment, which has shaped who he is as a person, one who is really concerned about the well-being of others,” J.P. Stevens coach Bill McMullen said. “He’s a natural leader. The kids look up to him.”
Bansal demonstrated his leadership abilities through his work on a school holiday toy drive and involvement in the Dedicated Beach Advisory Board, an environmental stewardship concern. He also organized a school-based card donation campaign to honor the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans and coordinated a book drive with the National English Honors Society to spread literacy. As a member of the high school’s Student Council and Key Club, Bansal encourages others to be socially conscious and kind.
“Kindness, an integral facet of Aaron’s character, is further exemplified by his dedication to preserving cultural ties through volunteering at the local temple,” McMullen said. “By staying connected to his roots and heritage, Aaron aims to create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity.”
The Kindness Counts Award Bansal received was established in loving memory of high school student-athlete Peter Bonn-Elchoness, who died suddenly and without warning in his sleep from a rare disease that causes damage to the heart.
The 17-year-old from Niwot, Colorado was renowned throughout his school-community as a magnetic presence and gifted student-athlete who always looked out for others.
Shortly after his passing just 17 months ago, Peter’s family learned even more about his generosity of spirit through condolence letters they received from his classmates. Among other acts, Peter stood up to bullies, supported kids in crisis, and rooted for teammates and competitors.
His parents, Dave Elchoness and Eve Bonn, were told Peter saved lives. Dave and Eve established The Peter Fund, a nonprofit that encourages young people to mirror their son’s kind nature.
Peter’s father, Dave, an Edison High School alumnus, traveled nearly 1,800 miles to return to his hometown to present Bansal with the award.
Dave Elchoness is a friend and former Edison High School classmate of Cyndi Tufaro, who along with her husband, Greg, founded The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in memory of their inspirational daughter to assist pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer. She was just 13 years old.
With incredible support from Greater Middlesex Conference schools, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $350,000 to fulfill its mission, along with thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $29,500 in academic scholarships to 42 Middlesex County high school seniors and sent 20 elementary and middle school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation were elated to learn Bansal chose such a meaningful cause to pay forward his kindness, donating money to the YMCA of MEWSA. An outstanding scholar-athlete, Bansal will take his many talents to Rutgers University in the fall.
“Aaron’s journey reflects a holistic embodiment of extraordinary character, compassion, kindness and inclusivity,” McMullen said. “Though soccer, community service initiatives and cultural involvement, he has cultivated a spirit of responsibility, empathy and inclusion.
“While humbled by the impact achieved thus far, Aaron is inspired to continue this journey in college, driven by the belief that even small acts can collectively create a significant positive change in our communities.”