The second annual Viking Cup for Philanthropy, a three-event competition between students and staff at South Brunswick High School that generates funds for charity, commenced yesterday with a dodgeball tournament.
All proceeds from the competition will once again benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
The Viking Cup for Philanthropy, which will feature volleyball and basketball competitions later this year, stemmed from South Brunswick Athletics Director CJ Hendricks’ desire to instill in the high school students the importance of community service and philanthropy.
“It’s something as a teacher I always tried to focus on with my students,” explained Hendricks, who coached baseball at South Brunswick before becoming an administrator a couple of years ago.
“As a coach, I tried to make sure we were involved in the community at South Brunswick. Being in this new position as the AD at South Brunswick High School, I’m trying to expose our kids to acts of service.”
Members of the high school’s baseball program comprised the team of competitors that won yesterday’s dodgeball tournament.
Following the completion of all three events between the students and staff, one of those sides will be crowned the Viking Cup for Philanthropy champion at South Brunswick High School.
Last year’s competition, which involved more than 250 students and staff, raised more than $1,200 for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. The staff won two legs of the competition to claim the 2023 Viking Cup for Philanthropy. Jim Gano, owner of Crown Trophy of Flemington, generously donated a beautiful trophy for Hendricks to annually present to the winning side. The trophy will continue to be prominently displayed in a case at the high school.
“The beauty about being at South Brunswick is we already have such a great foundation of service throughout our school-community,” Hendricks said. “There’s plenty of organizations that do great work. A lot of our sports teams are involved in philanthropy. I think just trying to connect more on a global scale, in terms of getting our entire student body involved in conjunction with our athletic department is really just the goal. I want all our kids to contribute as much as they can so when they leave South Brunswick and they go to a university or they go out into the community, they have a sense of pride in what they’ve done and want to continue to pay those great gestures forward.”
South Brunswick’s football, basketball, baseball, cheerleading, soccer, wrestling, swimming, golf, and bowling teams are among those at the high school that have supported The Marisa Tufaro Foundation through their participation in charity events or fundraisers.
Established just over six and a half years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has already made a profound impact, donating more than $300,000 and spearheading multiple community initiatives to fulfill its mission.
The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $29,500 in college academic scholarships to 42 exceptional Middlesex County high school students who advance the nonprofit’s mission.
Born with a complex cardiac defect, 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 honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
“We’ve always been connected to Marisa’s foundation,” said Hendricks, who as the high school’s baseball coach started an annual tradition at the school of assisting the nonprofit.
“Now we’re continuing to spread that awareness and the act of giving with all our athletic programs within the high school.”