The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a generous donation to the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge, and South Amboy (YMCA of MEWSA) in support of the organization’s scholarship fund, which provides the gift of summer camp to children in financial need.
Earlier this month, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s leadership, including Senator Patrick Diegnan, who serves on the nonprofit’s board of trustees, was privileged to visit a summer camp session at the Oakcrest Community Pool.
“Oakcrest is a hidden gem,” said Cyndi Tufaro, executive director of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. “Situated on 14 spacious acres off Inman Avenue in North Edison, the venue is the site of one of the YMCA of MEWSA’s many outstanding summer day camp offerings. Summer is the opportune time for kids to be outdoors and explore, but some families lack the financial means to send their children to camps. Our nonprofit is honored to be able to help make such opportunities available for children in need.”
An outdoor swim club for families, Oakcrest Community Pool features a 25-meter, six-lane pool, spiral tube slide, playground, kiddie pool, bathrooms with showers, upper and lower pavilion, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, and more. Oakcrest offers various memberships, daily guest passes, private swim lessons, and party rentals.
The site is also home to Camp Oakcrest, a summer day camp where children 5 to 14 years of age make new friends, explore nature, discover new interests, and are physically active while creating lifelong memories.
S.T.E.A.M. activities are incorporated into a traditional camp setting at Oakcrest, where campers have fun learning about nature, performing science and engineering experiments, and developing math skills. Campers also take part in sports such as basketball and soccer. They can enjoy art, ceramics and go swimming daily.
The YMCA of MEWSA’s summer camps provide children with a safe place to belong, build confidence, and learn positive behaviors from strong role models who exemplify the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
“From childcare to wellness and enrichment, the YMCA of MEWSA offers vital programs and services to thousands of members and residents that promote healthy living, social responsibility, and foster youth development,” Cyndi Tufaro said.
“In some ways, our foundation mirrors the YMCA of MEWSA, which provides scholarships and financial assistance to families and individuals in need. Through the fulfillment of its broad-based and all-encompassing mission, the YMCA of MEWSA is exemplary, setting a standard of excellence to which all nonprofits, including The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, can aspire.”
Since its inception six years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $300,000 to assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies and other items for donation upon which the nonprofit has placed no monetary value.
The foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $29,500 in Marisa’s name to high school seniors and an additional 20 scholarships for elementary and middle school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.