In addition to welcoming back former letterwinners and coaches, the East Brunswick High School varsity wrestling program is turning its Jan. 30 Alumni Night into a charity event.
Donations collected at the door for the girls and boys dual meets against Perth Amboy will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
As a way of paying forward the act of kindness, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is supporting other nonprofits in the teams’ school-communities, making separate donations of $1,000 each in the name of the Bears and Panthers, respectively, to Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund in East Brunswick and the Raritan Bay Area YMCA in Perth Amboy.
The objectives of both organizations align with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which since its inception six years ago has donated more than $300,000 to fulfill its mission.
The foundation 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 Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $29,500 in academic scholarships to exceptional Middlesex County high school seniors who support its mission through community service and volunteerism.
East Brunswick TV will broadcast the Alumni Night matches with the father-son announcer team of former Bears head coach Stu Kohn and former Bears wrestler Garrett Kohn providing play-by-play and color commentary.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation will distribute wristbands and letters of gratitude to all in attendance, and East Brunswick will present handsome plaques to the Wrestler of the Match at the conclusion of each dual meet. A photographer and videographer will be on hand to capture all the action.
“What the East Brunswick and Perth Amboy wrestling programs are doing by turning their dual meets into a fundraiser is outstanding,” Greater Middlesex Conference Executive Director Frank Noppenberger said.
“Not only is this event a wonderful way to showcase talented girls and boys wrestlers from both schools, but it heightens awareness about three wonderful nonprofits who do tremendous work in the community.
“I am immensely proud of the coaches, student-athletes, and administrators of both high schools for supporting children in need.”
Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund is dedicated to serving nonprofits and children and adults in need throughout East Brunswick. The organization also furthers the social welfare of township residents via community grants, individual grants, and scholarships.
The Raritan Bay Area YMCA is dedicated to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities through programs that develop the values of caring, honesty, faith, respect, and responsibility. Serving all people regardless of age, religion, gender, or financial means, the Raritan Bay Area YMCA is committed to developing healthy minds, bodies, and spirit through life-changing services.
Established in loving memory of its namesake and as a way to allow her legacy to be one of helping others, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to support Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund and the Raritan Bay Area YMCA in the name of the Alumni Night dual meet participants.
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 honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
The Jan. 30 event commences with an Alumni Night ceremony at 5:45 p.m. The girls dual meet starts at 6 p.m. and the boys matches will immediately follow.