In honor and loving memory of Marisa Tufaro, The Give-Back Initiative recently donated nearly 100 gifts to PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital, which will distribute the presents to pediatric patients this holiday season.

Dana LaPenta and Julia Calantoni, who founded and operate The Give-Back Initiative, delivered the gifts last week, along with representatives from Cornhole over Cancer, to the New Brunswick-based rehabilitation hospital.

Marisa was born with a complex cardiac defect that required six open-heart surgeries. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, she lived a vibrant life that inspired. After her sixth surgery, Marisa developed two life-threatening conditions that necessitated a heart transplant. A postoperative complication developed into a rare form of cancer – known as post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder – that riddled her brain and body. Following a valiant battle, Marisa succumbed to her illness on Jan. 30, 2017.

The donation of toys to PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in Marisa’s loving memory has special meaning to the Tufaro family for multiple reasons:

  • Marisa benefitted from similar donations while being hospitalized during the 2016 holiday season.
  • Marisa received outstanding care as an outpatient from Children’s Specialized Hospital following her 2016 heart transplant.
  • The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, a nonprofit established in Marisa’s loving memory to assist pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area, has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital, hosting a boardwalk-themed Family Fun Night and partnering with local high schools to benefit its patients through community service projects.

An Edison-based nonprofit which conducts virtual fundraising campaigns, The Give-Back Initiative promotes positivity, generosity, and the power of community.

“We believe that doing good is contagious, and a little can go a long way,” reads a message on The Give-Back Initiative’s Facebook page. “We believe in empowering and inspiring others to help in any way they can, enabling everyone to make an impact.”

Previously registered with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Charities Bureau as a professional fundraising LLC as defined in the New Jersey State Executive Law, The Give-Back Initiative reinvented itself earlier this year as a 501(C)3 tax-exempt nonprofit.

The Give-Back Initiative’s mission of assisting others, however, remains unchanged.

The nonprofit uses social media and the internet as its platform to spread awareness about causes and fundraise for them.

Members of The Give-Back Initiative’s Facebook group, which totals nearly 6,000 followers, were responsible for funding the donated toys to PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital and were responsible for another recent toy drive.

“There are many children who will be spending the holidays in the hospital this year, and we can brighten the season for these patients and families by raising much-needed funds,” reads a post on The Give-Back Initiative’s Facebook page for its latest campaign.

“We surely can’t do it alone. We need you, our TGBI family! As a thank you for being you, we will reward each donor with entries into our most loved giveaways! The more we raise, the greater our impact. Please give from the heart to help these deserving kids feel the magic of the season.”

Through its campaign, The Give-Back Initiative is purchasing gifts for pediatric patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, and more.

LaPenta and Calantoni, who, like the Tufaros, reside in Edison, are heavily involved in their respective school-communities as dedicated mothers of school-age children.

“We can never find the right words to express our gratitude to The Give-Back Initiative for honoring Marisa through a donation to PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital in her loving memory,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro.

Cyndi noted The Marisa Tufaro Foundation benefited from a wildly successful fundraising campaign The Give-Back Initiative conducted a year ago.

“We continue to be blessed with incredible support from Dana and Julia and its community of generous supporters,” Cyndi said.

“On behalf of our own nonprofit, we wish everyone in The Give-Back Initiative community a healthy and happy holiday season.”