The St. Bart’s Buffalos American Youth Football and Cheer Program will use its games over the next two Sundays to heighten awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to breast cancer research, advocacy, and support.

The Buffalos will host a total of nine games at Heavenly Farms Park in East Brunswick on Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, during which players and cheerleaders will wear pink socks and from which proceeds of the program’s 50/50 raffles will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The initiative fittingly takes place during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As if St. Bart’s wasn’t already performing enough inspirational charity support, the Buffalos will also use their full slate of consecutive Sunday games to collect new children’s books and monetary donations for the purchase of new children’s books for The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

Established in loving memory of its namesake, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation assists pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The donated children’s books will benefit pediatric inpatients and visitors to the pediatric emergency department at Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center in Edison, with which The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has a longstanding partnership.

The East Brunswick-based St. Bart’s program consists of players and cheerleaders between 5 and 14 years of age from the township, as well as the surrounding towns of Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, South River, and Spotswood.

“Words cannot capture how proud we all are of the commitment of these young people,” said Senator Patrick Diegnan, who represents New Jersey’s 18th Legislative District, which includes East Brunswick, Milltown and South River.

“It’s an example for all of us to follow, regardless of our age. Now more than ever, (charitable endeavors) really have become more and more important. These kids are learning the right thing to do (from parents and coaches) through their good actions.”

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Many former St. Bart’s players and cheerleaders who went on to compete at Greater Middlesex Conference high schools have supported The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which since its inception in July 2017 has donated more than $400,000 to fulfill its mission.

The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has also spearheaded multiple community initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, children’s books, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

The foundation has awarded $36,500 in college academic scholarships to 50 Middlesex County high school graduates and sent 32 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

Marisa Tufaro 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 Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.

“We are appreciative beyond words that with all the St. Bart’s Buffalos are already doing in support of breast cancer awareness and the Susan G. Komen Foundation on the weekends of Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 that the organization would still have the desire and ability to support our nonprofit,” said Cyndi Tufaro, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s executive director.

“In exemplary fashion, the players, cheerleaders, their parents and coaches are using football and cheer as a platform to heighten awareness and help others in need.

“All are to be commended for taking part in this extraordinary initiative.”