The pun on a flyer promoting a fundraiser for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation playfully states that South Plainfield’s Franklin Elementary School “sticks” together.
The wordplay referred to a schoolwide Squishmallow sticker sale to generate funds for the nonprofit, but its deeper meaning reflects the school community’s exemplary solidarity to help others.
With The Marisa Tufaro Foundation matching the total dollar amount Franklin Elementary School collected, the sticker sale generated $1,200 for the purchase of new and unwrapped toys for pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
“I am very proud of the goal we achieved,” said Dylan Wilson, a Franklin Elementary School fourth grader who is also a student council secretary. “It feels good to know our school is helping others.”
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has designated Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center and Hands of Hope for the Community, both in Edison, as the primary beneficiaries of the toy drive.
Toys donated to the medical center will meet the needs of pediatric inpatients and visitors to the hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Department, who can benefit during the holiday season and year-round from a diversion to help cope with the anxiety and pain that can accompany treatments, medical procedures, and extended admissions.
Toys donated to Hands of Hope for the Community will be distributed to Middlesex County children in need on Dec. 16 at Saint James Episcopal Church in Edison. Until the pandemic struck, the event was an annual holiday tradition of the nonprofit, which is elated to revive its toy giveaway through the generosity of others.
“Participating in this winter fundraiser makes the season and beyond brighter for those less fortunate, especially children in need and children who are hospitalized,” Franklin Elementary School Principal Shannon Colucci said.
The winter fundraiser for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation was the second straight for Franklin Elementary School, which also conducts a Mile for Marisa walk-a-thon as a benefit for the nonprofit during the South Plainfield School District’s annual Day of Service. In total, Franklin Elementary School has raised more than $4,200 to date for the foundation.
“Our partnership with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is rewarding for Franklin,” Colucci said. “We’re looking forward to our annual Mile for Marisa on the Day of Service and are looking for additional ways to help our community through the generosity of the foundation.”
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.”
Colucci said the student council, led by Franklin Elementary School teachers Kimberly Broggi and Marie Lanza, provides students with early experiences in volunteerism, community, and caring for others.
“These opportunities build character and help shape the students into the young citizens we hope will lead society into a kinder future,” Colucci said. “Kindness is like a sticker – once it gets stuck on you, it’s hard to peel off – and why would we want to? Here in South Plainfield, we know doing good feels great!”
Established in its namesake’s loving memory six years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $300,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The nonprofit has also spearheaded multiple 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 it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, the foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $29,500 in Marisa’s name to high school seniors including South Plainfield graduates Alex Gibson, Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.
The nonprofit has also granted 20 scholarships for elementary and middle school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art 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 nearly $25,000 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, toy drives and the collection of nonperishable food items 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.”