Motivated by some winter-themed fun, students from South Plainfield’s Franklin Elementary School helped children in need this holiday season through their generous fundraising efforts.
Principal Shannon Colucci promised the entire school it could participate in a “snowball fight” if students reached a fundraising goal of $200 for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation by adding a dollar to a snow globe displayed near the school’s front entrance.
With the student council matching the money students raised and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation subsequently matching that new combined total, Franklin Elementary School far exceeded its goal, generating more than $1,200.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation and Franklin Elementary School used the funds to purchase Target gift cards, which Hands of Hope for the Community distributed Saturday to Middlesex County children in need, whose families also received a turkey and large box of food.
During its drive-up charitable event, Hands of Hope for the Community, with which The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has enjoyed a longstanding relationship, served 1,500 individuals including 314 children.
“In years past we used to give out toys, but since the pandemic hit three years ago we changed the way we do things,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro, who serves on Hands of Hope for the Community’s board of directors.
“Now, the clients stay in their cars. We preregister them so we know how many children each client has. Instead of giving toys, for the last two years we’ve been giving out $15 gift cards to Target to each child. This year we gave out 314 of those gift cards.
“If it wasn’t for Franklin Elementary School in South Plainfield, we wouldn’t be able to give out all those cards, so we really appreciate their effort and their commitment to helping those in need,” said Tomaro, noting the Edison Teachers Education Association, all Edison Township public schools, and the Win Wealth Investor Network also donated Target gift cards to the cause.
“When you see the children, you see the smiles on their faces. They know they are going to get something at least from the Hands of Hope.”
Tomaro said Saturday was among the busiest days over the last five years for Hands of Hope for the Community, an Edison-based nonprofit committed to providing an efficient and centralized system for distributing food in Middlesex County to combat hunger.
“The schoolwide ‘snowball fight’ was the incentive, my way of celebrating with the students for exceeding their $200 goal of raising funds for children and families in need this holiday season,” Colucci said. “The students are abuzz with excitement and stop me in the hallway to declare they are going to win this ‘snowball fight.’ They do not realize the big win came from the impact they made on the lives of those in need. Our Franklin School community is the epitome of compassion and generosity.”
The fundraiser was the second Franklin Elementary School conducted this year for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. The nonprofit was the beneficiary of more than $1,750 the school-community raised through its Mile for Marisa Walkathon, part of South Plainfield Public Schools’ district-wide May 26 Day of Service.
“The Marisa Tufaro Foundation knows all too well the benevolent nature of South Plainfield, which has played an integral role in helping our nonprofit assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area,” said Cyndi Tufaro, Marisa’s mother and executive director of the foundation.
“Our nonprofit doesn’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the students, their families and staff at Franklin Elementary School. We can’t thank the entire school-community enough and hope its benevolence is exponentially returned.”
Since its inception five years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than a quarter of a million dollars to fulfill its mission.
The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, the foundation has awarded $26,500 in academic scholarships to 38 inspirational high school seniors including South Plainfield graduates Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.
The South Plainfield School District has been among the nonprofit’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 $20,000 for the foundation. Recently retired Franklin Elementary School teacher Bill Pavlak, the former varsity wrestling coach at South Plainfield, was integral in establishing the wildly successful fundraiser.
In addition, student-athletes from many of South Plainfield High School’s other athletics programs have participated in fundraising events, toy drives and the collection of nonperishable food items benefiting the nonprofit and the children it serves.
Marisa Tufaro, who would have graduated last year from Edison High School, 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.
An honor roll student involved in multiple extracurricular activities, Marisa lived a vibrant life that inspired.
The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.