More than 160 people attended a Plainfields’ Chapter of UNICO fundraising dinner on Feb. 2, with proceeds from the event benefiting local charities, including The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, and creating scholarship opportunities.

Members of the nonprofit organization volunteered their time and culinary expertise to create a wonderful homecooked Italian meal and festive atmosphere for “Nonna’s Sunday Dinner”.

Dinner included salad, antipasto, pasta, meatballs, sausage, cannoli, cookies, and beverages. The meal was served and enjoyed amid a musical backdrop of Italian classics. The church hall was fittingly decorated with red-and-white checkered tablecloths and floral centerpieces.

Attendees included South Plainfield Mayor Mathhew Anesh, borough council members, and representatives of UNICO National including National President Anthony Bengivenga.

In addition to ticket sales, fundraising was generated through a 50-50 raffle and a tricky tray featuring more than 40 donated gift baskets.

“One hundred and sixty people attended and I’m sure there are more who donated and wanted to be there,” South Plainfield Borough Council President Derryck White said of the event that packed the church hall. “The food was awesome, and my belly was full. We are greatly appreciative to have UNICO as part of our community.”

UNICO National is the country’s largest Italian American service organization. Its mission is to promote Italian American heritage and culture through the support of charitable, scientific, educational, cultural, and literary initiatives.

The Plainfields’ Chapter embodies the UNICO acronym, which stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity. The chapter grants scholarships, participates in projects to help the handicapped, serves the community, and donates to local charities, mental health programs and cancer research.

White said the Plainfields’ Chapter is a “great organization” whose members epitomize the Borough of South Plainfield’s giving spirit.

“This was another great event by UNICO,” White said, adding Nonna’s Sunday Dinner “really does show that we are a united community and work hard to take care of our own and those outside of our community, as well.”

Mayor Anesh annually presents a proclamation declaring October as Italian American Heritage Month in South Plainfield to the Plainfields’ Chapter of UNICO.

“Plainfields’ Chapter of UNICO is a valuable service organization of community-minded men and women of Italian American heritage who engage in many charitable works, support higher education, and perform patriotic deeds in South Plainfield,” the mayor’s proclamation reads in part.

The Plainfields’ Chapter of UNICO hosts an annual Columbus Day ceremony in the borough to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

The chapter makes scholarships available to high school seniors of Italian heritage (with at least one grandparent being of Italian descent) from South Plainfield who are pursuing a post-secondary education at a two- or four-year college or any vocational, technical or trade school (application details for 2025 scholarships are forthcoming).

In addition to funding scholarships, Nonna’s Sunday Dinner benefited local charities including The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Established in its namesake’s loving memory seven and a half years ago, the foundation has donated more than $375,000 to fulfill its mission.

The foundation has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded scholarships totaling $33,000 in Marisa’s name to 46 high school seniors including South Plainfield graduates Lindsay Oller, Alex Gibson, Jeffrey Jacome, Nick Loniewski, Abdul Cokley, Luke Niemeyer, Joseph Heilmann, and Charles Lovett.

The nonprofit has also sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

“Our nonprofit was honored to be a beneficiary of this wonderful fundraising dinner that supports the outstanding work of the Plainfields’ Chapter of UNICO,” said Cyndi Tufaro, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s executive director.

“We are grateful beyond words to all involved and look forward to giving back to the South Plainfield community, which has bestowed remarkable kindness and generosity upon our foundation.”

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 at the age of 13.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Marisa would have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Nonna’s Sunday Dinner.