A contingent of representatives from the East Brunswick High School football program, led by head coach Andy Steinfeld and assistant Matt Pazinko, will partake in The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s Tournament of Roses Parade Charity Walk and Food Drive.
The event, which takes place July 18 at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, serves as a community service project for recently graduated Middlesex County student-athletes participating in the Bellamy and Sons Paving Marisa Rose Bowl.
All proceeds from the intra-county all-star football game, formerly known as the Snapple Bowl and Autoland Classic, will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. The contest has raised $715,000 for charity since its inception in 1994.
Miller’s Rentals of Edison is sponsoring the Bears participating in the charity walk and food drive.
Registration includes a commemorative Tournament of Roses Parade T-shirt, Marisa Tufaro Foundation wristband and beverages. All participants will be asked to wear their commemorative T-shirts during the walk as a show of solidarity.
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The charity walk is a two-mile stroll along the grounds of Saint Joseph’s scenic 70-acre campus to heighten awareness about childhood and family hunger.
The accompanying food drive is a collection of donations for REPLENISH, a regional food bank serving Middlesex County residents, including an estimated 30,000 children, and the Middlesex College Community Resource Hub & Food Pantry.
“Lacking sufficient food presents many challenges for everyone, but the impacts on children are particularly devastating,” said Jennifer Apostol, director of REPLENISH.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, 1 in 10 children statewide reside in homes without consistent access to adequate food for everyone to live healthy and active lives.
“Children who face hunger are more at risk for serious health conditions like anemia, asthma, diabetes, and obesity and are more likely to be hospitalized,” Apostol said. “Children dealing with food insecurity also face academic challenges. When a child is hungry, they have difficulty focusing on their classwork, and cannot retain the information and skills necessary to flourish.”
The East Brunswick football program has been a tremendous supporter of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Through its 2020 skills competition, the Bears raised an incredible $3,500 for the nonprofit, prompting Senator Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., whose legislative district includes East Brunswick, to take notice.
“Kudos to East Brunswick,” Diegnan said at the time. “This is an example of teaching kids to do the right thing. I have always believed sports is more than just a physical exercise. It actually teaches kids how to properly direct their energies, and this fundraiser is the embodiment of that focus.”
Since its inception less than five years ago, the nonprofit has donated a quarter of a million dollars 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 nonprofit has awarded $26,500 in academic scholarships to 38 high school graduates and an additional 13 scholarships for middle school and elementary school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
Marisa Rose Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, she lived a vibrant life that inspired.