Franklin Elementary School turned comfort into compassion with a spirited Pajama Day fundraiser that rallied students and staff to bring joy to children in need this holiday season.
All proceeds from the fundraiser benefited The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
With The Marisa Tufaro Foundation matching the total dollar amount Franklin Elementary School collected, Pajama Day generated $1,200 for the purchase of new toys that will be distributed to children in need this holiday season.
The winter fundraiser for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation was the fourth straight for Franklin Elementary School, which also conducts a Mile for Marisa walk-a-thon each spring as a benefit for the nonprofit during the South Plainfield School District’s annual Day of Service.
Senator Patrick Diegnan, who serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees, praised Franklin Elementary School students and staff for their incredible kindness.
“This wonderful fundraiser is really a microcosm of the entire school district and community,” said Diegnan, a lifelong South Plainfield resident and grandfather of two former Franklin Elementary School students. “I know generosity is a staple of our borough and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Franklin Elementary School music teacher McKenna Blair and fourth grade teacher Kimberly Broggi organized the fundraiser in which students made a donation to wear pajamas to school.
In exemplary fashion, Shannon Colucci, the school’s principal, and her staff have long provided their students with early experiences in volunteerism, community service, and caring for others.
“I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for their commitment to helping others and raising funds for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation,” said Leo Whalen, the school’s acting principal. “Their generosity reflects the core values we emphasize through our school community. Emphasizing our Character Education program trait for the month of December, Caring – showing compassion, kindness and concern for others. Their efforts remind us that character is shown not only in words, but in meaningful actions that make a difference.”
Established in its namesake’s loving memory eight years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $400,000 to fulfill its mission.
The nonprofit has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, children’s books, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, the foundation has awarded 50 scholarships totaling $36,500 in Marisa’s name to high school seniors including South Plainfield graduates Lindsay Oller, Alex Gibson, Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.
The nonprofit has also sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.
The South Plainfield School District has been among The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s biggest supporters.
An annual wrestling match, known as the Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual, between the district’s high school team and rival Old Bridge has generated more than $30,000 for the foundation. Recently retired Franklin Elementary School teacher Bill Pavlak, the former varsity wrestling coach at South Plainfield, played a paramount role in establishing the wildly successful event.
In addition, student-athletes from many of South Plainfield High School’s other athletics programs have participated in fundraisers and drives benefiting the nonprofit and the children it serves.
“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the South Plainfield community,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who serves as the foundation’s executive director. “We don’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. The kindness and generosity of South Plainfield residents is extraordinary.”
Born with a complex cardiac defect, the foundation’s namesake, Marisa Tufaro, survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 at the age of 13.
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 who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
“Our partnership with Franklin Elementary School has made a profound impact on the children we serve,” Cyndi Tufaro said. “We can’t thank the entire school community enough and hope its benevolence is exponentially returned.”