Carrying purple balloons and encouraged with applause from neighborhood residents, Franklin Elementary School students and staff trekked round trip to Plainfield Avenue from their building last week.
The event, known as the Mile for Marisa walkathon, raised more than $1,750 for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as part of South Plainfield Public Schools’ district-wide May 26 Day of Service.
Since its inception less than five years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated a quarter of a million dollars to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
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 Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $21,500 in academic scholarships to 31 high school graduates, including South Plainfield High School alumni Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.
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.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, she lived a vibrant life that inspired.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation knows all too well the benevolent nature of the South Plainfield community, which has played an integral role in helping the nonprofit make a profound impact.
“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the South Plainfield community,” Marisa’s father, Greg Tufaro, said. “My wife, Cyndi, and I don’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. The kindness and generosity of South Plainfield residents is extraordinary.
“This particular fundraiser has added meaning because of its creativity, the wonderful message it sends, and the fact that Marisa’s nonprofit has been privileged to assist South Plainfield children in need. We can’t ever thank the entire school-community enough and hope its benevolence is exponentially returned.”
Marisa’s parents were impressed with the spirit and dedication of the students, who were attentive and respectful listeners during a pre-walk ceremony at which school principal Shannon Colucci, fourth-grade teacher and student council co-advisor Kimberly Broggi, and the Tufaros spoke.
Broggi and co-teacher Marie Lanza, along with student council representatives from Franklin Elementary School, were among those who comprised the driving force behind the charity walk.
Students and staff, who conducted a fundraiser online and at school in advance of the event, gave themselves a well-deserved round of applause upon learning the amount of money they collectively generated to assist children in need.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is committed to being a source of comfort to hospitalized children and their families, as well as providing assistance and opportunities to underserved children.
The foundation has assisted multiple families whose children are in medical crisis, providing financial support through the payment of medical and/or personal expenses to help lessen the burden of parents who have lost wages while spending time at the hospital or caring for a loved one at home.
As part of a program in which The Marisa Tufaro Foundation provides fully funded grants to make visits from certified therapy dogs available to schools, libraries, and other facilities serving children, three furry friends from Creature Comfort Pet Therapy visited Franklin Elementary School students during their Day of Service.
During the charity walk, students and staff also wore commemorative wristbands, courtesy of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, in Marisa’s favorite color of purple.
“I am proud that Franklin School (chose) to walk for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation,” Colucci said. “Our students are raising awareness for a special charity that provides support and care to families in need within our surrounding community.
“Our first district-wide ‘Day of Service’ event is aimed at teaching our young students about the many benefits of service to others. Franklin students (felt) great doing good for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.”
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. Franklin Elementary School teacher Bill Pavlak, the former varsity wrestling coach at South Plainfield, played a paramount role 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.
The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.
An honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities, Marisa would have loved the thought and care that went into planning the charity walk in her name.
“This wonderful act of kindness is really a microcosm of the entire school district and community,” State Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. said. “As a lifelong South Plainfield resident, I know generosity is a staple of our borough. I couldn’t be prouder of all those who (collaborated) to make this ‘Day of Service’ a meaningful and inspirational event.”
Broggi, whose daughter, Emma, a Piscataway High School alumna currently studying at Rutgers University, was a Marisa Tufaro Foundation scholarship recipient, said, “There was no question in choosing The Marisa Tufaro Foundation for our charity walk.
“Children helping children brings light to many hearts.”