A “Sweetheart Dinner Dance” honoring the loving memory of Marisa Tufaro and benefiting the nonprofit bearing her name will fittingly take place during National Heart Month.

The South Amboy Columbiettes, a women’s auxiliary council affiliated with the South Amboy Knights of Columbus Council 426, are conducting the creative fundraiser at which attendees are encouraged to “come dance your heart out for a cause.”

Featuring live music from four-part harmony group Zuko, Philips, Cohn & Starr, the event will be held 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the South Amboy Knights of Columbus at 308 Fourth Street in South Amboy.

Admission is $25 for adults and $12 for children under 12 years of age. Please call 732-865-2863 for reservations, which are required.

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 following a valiant battle. 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 involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Her parents, Greg and Cyndi, established The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in their daughter’s loving memory.

Since its inception seven and a half years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

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 46 scholarships totaling $33,000 in Marisa’s name to high school seniors and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

“We can’t thank the South Amboy Columbiettes enough for hosting this wonderful fundraiser,” said Cyndi Tufaro, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s executive director. “Marisa loved music, loved to dance, and loved to sing. She would have enjoyed being a part of this event.”

The “Sweetheart Dinner Dance” is yet another example of the excellent work the South Amboy Columbiettes perform in the community.