With a single recurring word, Robert Zuckerman, who serves as president of the board of trustees for Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund, astutely captured the quintessence of the mission of and support for the nonprofit.

“Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund is all about supporting individuals and community organizations. At the heart of that is community,” Zuckerman said during Tuesday’s Marisa Tufaro Memorial Duals and Wrestling Alumni Night at East Brunswick High School. “Not only do the funds raised here support a local nonprofit, they are being raised with the help of young people and families in our town. This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of community involvement that is so important to our mission.”

Donations collected at the door for the girls and boys varsity matches against Perth Amboy benefited The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE EVENT

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation paid forward the incredible act of kindness of both programs by supporting other nonprofits in their respective school communities, making a $1,000 donation in the name of the Bears to Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund (MCCF) in East Brunswick and another donation of $1,000 in the name of the Panthers to the Raritan Bay Area YMCA of Perth Amboy. The objectives of both organizations align with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s mission.

During a brief ceremony between the girls and boys dual meets, MCCF Treasurer Laurie Lachs, MCCF Secretary Sharon Sullivan, and Zuckerman accepted – with profuse gratitude – the donation to MCCF from East Brunswick girls head coach Rachel Daddio and boys head coach Joey Langel. East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen and Township Council President Kevin McEvoy, who also attended the event in support of the East Brunswick school community and the visiting Panthers, joined the group for the check presentation. In a powerful display of solidarity for a common cause, all the varsity wrestlers from both high schools encircled the dignitaries during the ceremony.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE DONATION CEREMONY

Community was indeed the theme of the night as former East Brunswick letterwinners and coaches returned to their alma mater to support the high school’s current wrestlers. Former Bears mentor Stu Kohn provided play-by-play and commentary during an EBTV broadcast of the matches. East Brunswick swept the dual meets, but the real winners were children in need.

“What the East Brunswick and Perth Amboy wrestling programs did by turning their matches into a fundraiser was outstanding,” said Greater Middlesex Conference Executive Director Frank Noppenberger, who served as an educator, coach, and administrator at East Brunswick High School for 38 years before retiring in 2015.

“Not only was this event a wonderful way to showcase talented girls and boys wrestlers from both schools, but it heightens awareness about three wonderful nonprofits who do tremendous work in the community.

“I am immensely proud of the coaches, student-athletes, and administrators of both high schools for supporting children in need.”

MCCF is dedicated to serving nonprofits and children and adults in need within East Brunswick, furthering the social welfare of township residents through community grants, individual grants, and scholarships.

With an additional focus on supporting local programs and events that benefit residents and ameliorate the township, the organization’s goal is to continually improve East Brunswick.

“Everyone from Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund was so deeply appreciative of the donation, for the participation of the wrestlers from both programs, and all the work of the East Brunswick school community to host the fundraising event,” said Cyndi Tufaro, executive director of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. “But it’s our foundation that owes a debt of gratitude to Mayor Cohen’s Charity Fund for the outstanding work it does in the East Brunswick community. We know they will be flawless stewards of the donation, extending our nonprofit’s own mission to assist children in need.”

MCCF has aided myriad causes within East Brunswick and surrounding communities. The nonprofit’s reach includes – but is not at all limited to – donating to local families in need, supporting local frontline workers and local veterans, donating to local food banks, supporting families of children in medical crisis, supporting local youth sports programs, local individuals with special needs, and township students.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DUAL MEETS

Each year, the community within and surrounding East Brunswick rallies around MCCF, supporting it through the Mayor’s Charity Gala, from which all proceeds benefit the nonprofit. Sponsors, donors, and attendees provide MCCF with resources to fulfill its mission. The annual event also recognizes and honors individuals, organizations, and corporations who demonstrate exemplary volunteerism in the township community and beyond.

“We so greatly appreciate Mayor Cohen, Council President McEvoy, and the MCCF officers for taking time out of their busy schedules to be a part of East Brunswick High School’s fundraising event,” Cyndi Tufaro said. “This was yet another example of township officials and the MCCF supporting other causes.”

The dual meets celebrated the life of Marisa Tufaro, whose indomitable spirit lives on through the foundation bearing her name.

Established six and a half years ago in her loving memory, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating more than $300,000 to assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The foundation has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, school supplies, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value. In addition, the foundation has awarded 42 scholarships totaling $29,500 to exceptional high school seniors and sent 20 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

Marisa is the daughter of Cyndi and former Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com sportswriter Greg Tufaro.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer 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 honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

“We are grateful beyond words for all who played a role in making the memorial match come to fruition,” Cyndi Tufaro said.

“Like Rob Zuckerman said, this is what community is all about.”