The Old Bridge and South Plainfield wrestling teams combined to raise nearly $3,000 through their participation in the seventh annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual, which was contested earlier this month at Old Bridge High School.
The event has generated a total of more than $30,000 for the nonprofit, which assists pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
This year’s dual meet, which the Knights won, was conducted in conjunction with Old Bridge’s Alumni Night, which honored former letterwinners and coaches from the Old Bridge, Madison Central and Cedar Ridge programs, and Youth Knight, which celebrated wrestlers from the township’s recreation and middle school programs.
When not competing, wrestlers from South Plainfield and Old Bridge wore commemorative T-shirts in their respective school colors bearing The Marisa Tufaro Foundation logo over their singlets during the memorial dual meet.
Please click HERE to view a photo gallery from the event
The school communities of Old Bridge and South Plainfield are both renowned throughout Middlesex County and beyond for their abundant support of others in need.
Through their involvement in individual events or Greater Middlesex Conference-wide all-star games and activities, members of both high schools’ football, swimming, bowling, baseball, golf, girls soccer, and basketball teams have also participated in fundraisers for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
“Words can’t express our gratitude to the South Plainfield and Old Bridge wrestling programs for continuing this wonderful annual tradition,” said Cyndi Tufaro, Marisa’s mother and executive director of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
“We are eternally grateful and honored to pay forward their benevolence through the fulfillment of the foundation’s mission. The overwhelming support of these two outstanding school communities has enabled our nonprofit to assist countless children in need. The impact they have made is profound.”
Please click HERE to read a story previewing the event
The annual memorial match celebrates the life of Marisa Tufaro, whose indomitable spirit lives on through the foundation, which serves as her legacy.
Marisa 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. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Established six and a half years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating more than $300,000 to fulfill its mission.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
The foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $29,500 in Marisa’s name to exceptional high school graduates, including former Greater Middlesex Conference wrestlers Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, Gabe Rodriguez, and Tristan Palya.
Please click HERE to read MyCentralJersey.com’s coverage of the event
The Tufaro family is grateful beyond words for all who played a role in making the memorial match come to fruition, including the superintendents, boards of education, administrators, athletics directors, coaches, wrestlers, parents, and supporters of both programs.
State Senator Patrick Diegnan, a lifelong South Plainfield resident whose legislative district includes his hometown, praised the Tigers and Knights for making the annual Marisa Tufaro Memorial Dual a resounding success.
“This type of response really proves why Old Bridge and South Plainfield are special places to live,” said Diegnan, who also serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s board of trustees.
“People care about each other and support each other and when there is a need, they do what is right. That’s what community is all about.”