As the recipient of a Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, South Brunswick High School’s Justin Kong received $500 from The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation to donate in his name to the charity of his choice that assists Middlesex County children in need.

For exhibiting compassion, generosity, inclusiveness, and other qualities of benevolence, Kong was one of four student-athletes from the conference selected as a Kindness Counts Award recipient.

Each of the four honorees received a commemorative plaque during the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 24th Annual Dan Hayston Memorial Sportsmanship Awards Luncheon at The Pines Manor in Edison.

Over the past three years, a total of 13 Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Awards have been presented, enabling the recipients to donate a total of $6,500 to charities benefiting local children in need.

Kong has selected The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick as the beneficiary of his donation.

A varsity soccer player and team captain, Kong and his South Brunswick teammates played a game against New Brunswick a day after a former member of the Zebras squad (Class of 2025) was tragically killed.

“While this player was not on the current squad, his connection to their coach and current players was significant,” South Brunswick head coach Chris Hayston explained. “We offered to move the game, but New Brunswick decided they wanted to play. Before the game, we presented the team with flowers and a card as an effort to recognize we were aware they had more on their minds than just this game.”

In a previous meeting earlier in the season, South Brunswick easily handled New Brunswick, defeating the Zebras 4-0. Inspired by the loss of their former teammate, however, New Brunswick avenged the defeat, its victory coming in Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament pool play.

“We played the game and New Brunswick played really well and earned a well-deserved 2-1 victory,” said Hayston, whose team was an incumbent conference tournament finalist. “This loss actually officially knocked us out of the county tournament in the group play stage so it was a difficult loss for us.”

Following the defeat and unbeknown to Hayston, Kong emailed New Brunswick head coach Joe Dziuba, expressing his condolences for the tragedy with which the Zebras were dealing.

“In addition,” Hayston later learned, “Justin congratulated them on their win and how well they played. I did not ask or know Justin was doing this. This was done on his own with no expectation of recognition.”

Hayston only learned of the email when Dziuba called him the following day to express his gratitude for Kong’s sentiment.

“I feel like this is something people are much more willing to do after win,” Hayston said. “The fact that Justin did it after a loss I believe shows his true character.”

Owner of a 4.3 grade-point average who scored a near-perfect 1570 on the SAT, Kong has taken eight Advanced Placement courses throughout his high school career.

He is a member of South Brunswick’s DECA club, which qualified for states the past two years and was an international qualifier this year.

Vice President of the Sweet and Savory Cooking Club at the high school, Kong also volunteered to help support recreational basketball and soccer programs in his hometown.

Kong, who also plays for Match Fit Soccer Club, volunteered each of the past two summers at the Viking Soccer Camp.

Kong’s actions following South Brunswick’s loss to New Brunswick epitomize the spirit of the Kindness Counts Award.

The Kindness Counts Award was established in loving memory of high school student-athlete Peter Bonn-Elchoness, who died suddenly and without warning in his sleep from a rare disease that causes damage to the heart.

The 17-year-old from Niwot, Colorado was renowned throughout his school-community as a magnetic presence and gifted student-athlete who always looked out for others.

Shortly after his passing on Nov. 12, 2022, Peter’s family learned even more about his generosity of spirit through condolence letters they received from his classmates. Among other acts, Peter stood up to bullies, supported kids in crisis, and rooted for teammates and competitors. His parents, Dave Elchoness and Eve Bonn, were told Peter saved lives.

To honor their son’s memory, Dave, an Edison High School alumnus (Class of ’89), and Eve founded The Peter Fund, whose mission is to support efforts to increase compassion, generosity, kindness, and sportsmanship, especially among young people.

The nonprofit created the Kindness Counts Award and an accompanying online nomination process to recognize extraordinary teens who demonstrate those qualities.

The first set of awards were presented in May 2023 to Peter’s senior classmates at Niwot High School in Colorado.

Peter’s parents, who are working to expand the program nationally, have now included much of Boulder County, Col., and partnered in 2024 with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in New Jersey to establish an annual Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, which honors student-athletes from the league.

Nominees from the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 36 member schools whose sportsmanlike conduct transcends the playing field to high school campuses and beyond – filtering into classrooms, hallways, communities, and even at home – were considered for the 2026 Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award.

“It’s never been more apparent that we need more kindness, understanding and treating each other with respect as we do right now,” Greater Middlesex Conference Executive Director Frank Noppenberger said. “The Kindness Counts Award is a wonderful way of promoting and rewarding extraordinary acts of kindness, citizenship, volunteerism, inclusivity, empathy, charity, and sportsmanship.”

Student-athletes, many of whom are looked up to as leaders, are often held to a higher standard. The manner in which they conduct themselves reflects upon the name that appears on the back and front of their jerseys. Student-athletes, such as Peter, who as an accomplished fencer qualified for the Junior Olympics, can make a difference outside the competitive arena.

“Simply put, Peter is no longer here but the world desperately needs more of what he did during his lifetime,” said Dave Elchoness, noting that despite Peter’s untimely passing, his legacy of honorable deeds continues.

“To be able to honor Peter’s memory by presenting this award to student-athletes in Middlesex County, a place where I no longer live but for which I will always feel a deep fondness, is profoundly meaningful.”

The Peter Fund offers support and encourages teen-centered programs that enhance understanding, compassion, generosity of spirit, and simple kindness. The nonprofit’s focus is on efforts relating to basic respect, anti-bullying, mental health, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Dave Elchoness is a friend and former Edison High School classmate of Cyndi Tufaro, who along with her husband Greg founded The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in memory of their inspirational daughter to assist pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student who lived an inspirational life.

With incredible support from Greater Middlesex Conference schools, the foundation bearing Marisa’s name has donated nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission.

The nonprofit has also spearheaded drives that have generated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, children’s books, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $36,500 in scholarships to 50 exceptional Middlesex County high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

“Out of an unfathomable tragedy, the Bonn-Elchoness family has found an ineffably meaningful way to keep alive Peter’s indomitable spirit,” Cyndi Tufaro said. “The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to partner with The Peter Fund and the Greater Middlesex Conference on this important initiative.

“We welcome the opportunity to celebrate student-athletes who never met Peter but mirror his benevolent nature.”