The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is hosting a boardwalk-themed “Family Fun Night” exclusively for pediatric patients and their families at a Central Jersey children’s hospital this week.
The event has been made possible through donations to our tax-exempt nonprofit, with the cooperation of the hospital’s outstanding recreational therapy and child life staff, and through the generosity of our wonderful foundation volunteers.
A festive atmosphere for our guests will be created inside the hospital with a goal of replicating the sights, sounds and smells of the boardwalk, a place Marisa frequented and loved.
The event is being held during the month of Marisa’s birthday and six days before she would have turned 15.
Marisa and her parents at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia prom
Marisa, who was hospitalized at different periods throughout her life for a total of more than two years, benefited from similar events, which helped break the monotony of a lengthy hospital stay and helped take her mind off her worries or discomfort.
One of those events was the annual prom at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s “Family Fun Night” activities include, but are not limited to:
Carnival-style games such as skee ball, whack-a-mole and a claw machine provided by an entertainment company.
Gifts and prizes for children of all ages, each of who will receive a complimentary foundation tote bag to store and carry items they collect.
Several craft projects including sand art.
Live music from Chris Pedersen, one of Marisa’s beloved teachers and an accomplished musician who was recently honored with an award from the New England Songwriting Competition for his children’s song “Tree by a Rolling River.”
A buffet-style dinner with a variety of foods.
Snacks including popcorn and hot pretzels.
Music from disc jockey Frank Eckert, a physical education teacher at Lindeneau Elementary School and the head girls basketball coach at Edison High School.
A photo booth.
Decorations including beach-themed table centerpieces, courtesy of Herbert Hoover Middle School’s Marisa’s Makers Club, which created the pieces with love and care under the direction of Shannon Marasco, another of Marisa’s beloved teachers.
Funhouse mirrors.
Ice cream treats donated by a nationally renowned restaurant chain.
Four Americans with Disabilities Act accessible tickets to a 5 Seconds of Summer concert at P.N.C. Bank Arts Center in September to be awarded to one lucky “free raffle” winner.
A specially designed boardwalk sign will adorn the event entrance.
A fortune teller.
Founded less than one year ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has already made a profound impact on pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Following are some of the ways in which our nonprofit has made an impact (please click on any of the links below to read about each initiative).
- Collected thousands of toys for pediatric patients at Saint Peter’s University Children’s Hospital and Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital.
- Funded the purchase of brand new metal bunk beds for campers at Kiddie Keep Well Camp, which serves more than 600 underserved Middlesex County children annually.
- Partnered with another foundation to provide a youth football and cheerleading organization with a state-of-the art automated external defibrillator, as well as AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for adult members of the organization.
- Supported instruction and supplies for an art therapy program at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital, to which our foundation also provided funds for infant mobiles and toy cars staff use to transport children to the operating room for surgery.
- Provided money for equipment and supplies for students with disabilities who utilize the Lakeview School’s newly constructed aquatics center.
- Provided medical alert bracelets to children with autism and pediatric patients with chronic illness who receive outstanding care from Children’s Specialized Hospital, which annually serves more than 34,000 children statewide.
- Partially funded the Make-A-Wish of a Middlesex County boy who is winning a battle with high-risk neuroblastoma.
- Provided physical therapy at Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center and Project Walk for Middlesex County children whose families do not have health insurance or whose families’ health insurer does not cover the cost of the physical therapy.
- Raised money and collected nonperishable food items to benefit Middlesex County children and their families through Hands of Hope via our foundation’s participation in the Race to Outrun Hunger.
- Provided meals and goods for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Jersey.
- Assisted four 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.
- Provided art scholarships for Middlesex County elementary and middle school students.
- Rewarded high school students for their community service to children with scholarships.
- Partnered with James Monroe Elementary School to fill “Weekend Snack Bags” for pediatric patients and their families.
- Provided scholarships to Greater Middlesex Conference student-athletes.
- Conducted a coat drive for Middlesex County children.
- Provided gift cards for pediatric patients and their families.
What an AMAZING event. So much fun for everyone!!!! Kids,parents,staff and volunteers all smiling, dancing and enjoying all the great food, games, and prizes of the evening. Thanks for a memorable experience/evening for all of us. I’m sure it won’t be forgotten any time soon.