The Marisa Tufaro Foundation was honored beyond words to receive the Edison Chamber of Commerce’s Organization of the Year award during its 25th Annual Meeting and Awards reception at The Pines Manor on Oct. 8.
Congratulations to all the other amazing honorees and our deepest gratitude to the chamber for bestowing upon our nonprofit this incredibly meaningful award in Marisa’s loving memory.
Cyndi and Greg Tufaro were deeply touched to receive a standing ovation from the more than 200 attendees after they delivered their remarks, which appear beneath the photo.
Our township seal contains four words … let there be light.
They are obviously a tribute to namesake Thomas Alva Edison.
But in the context of a greatly appreciated honor being bestowed upon The Marisa Tufaro Foundation tonight, they refer to the indomitable spirit of an inspirational young girl whose light continues to shine bright, largely because of this township and its residents.
Our beautiful daughter, Marisa, was born with a severe cardiac defect.
She survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.
Marisa was compassionate, funny, curious, creative, and – most of all – loved.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities.
The role outstanding educators – some of whom are being celebrated here this evening – played in Marisa’s complete development can never be overstated.
As a way of honoring our daughter’s loving memory, Cyndi and I established The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in 2017 to assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Blessed with incredible support – much of which comes from township schools, organizations, and residents – our nonprofit has been privileged to donate more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission.
In addition, we’ve spearheaded multiple community 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 we’ve placed no monetary value.
We’ve also awarded $33,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and sent two dozen elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
Like many township children, Marisa received outstanding care from the physicians and staff at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, JFK University Medical Center and Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Part of our foundation’s mission is dedicated to the pediatric departments of those outstanding medical centers with financial contributions that have bolstered their child life, art therapy, music therapy, and other programs. We’ve also made in-kind donations of portable gaming stations, iPads, children’s books and other gifts.
Locally, we’ve assisted multiple township families whose children are in medical crisis, providing financial support through the payment of medical and personal expenses.
We’ve donated thousands of dollars in gift cards to township families in need during the holiday season, helping them purchase food, necessities and presents.
We’ve funded the purchase of metal bunk beds and uniforms for hundreds of campers at Edison’s Kiddie Keep Well Camp.
We’ve provided tuition assistance for children enrolled in Middlesex College’s on-campus Early Learning Center.
We’ve provided the gift of YMCA summer camp at Edison’s Oakcrest Community Pool to children whose families are in financial need.
We’ve partnered with Creature Comfort Pet Therapy to bring certified therapy dogs to bereaved children and children on the autism spectrum at township schools.
We’ve donated thousands of dollars to other Edison-based organizations with which we are honored to enjoy an outstanding partnership including Hands of Hope for the Community, the Jewish Community Center of Middlesex County, and the Lakeview School.
The profound impact we’ve been blessed to make on children in need and their families could never be accomplished without the ineffable support of Edison Township.
On behalf of our dedicated board of trustees, who join us here tonight, we congratulate all the honorees and express our most sincere gratitude to the Chamber of Commerce for celebrating Marisa’s memory with this incredibly meaningful award.
The award names The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as Organization of the Year, but the honor truly belongs to all of Edison Township, which, as the heart and soul of our nonprofit, has rallied around a hometown girl, ensuring her legacy can be one of helping others.
Tonight, the four words of our township’s seal – let there be light – take on added meaning.
Thank you, Edison, for ensuring Marisa’s light can continue to shine bright.