Thank you for considering making an online monetary donation in support of the Marisa Tufaro Classic toy drive, which will benefit children in need who Hands of Hope for the Community serves this holiday season.
A season-opening bowling tournament involving 40 boys and girls high school teams, the Marisa Tufaro Classic will be held at Majestic Lanes in Woodbridge on Saturday, December 7 at 9 a.m.
Proceeds from the event, at which bowlers, their coaches and spectators are invited to donate new and unwrapped toys, will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which assists pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
A complete list of recommended toys for donation can be found below.
Toys donated to Hands of Hope for the Community will be distributed to Middlesex County children in need during an event in December at Saint James Episcopal Church in Edison. Until the pandemic struck, the event was an annual holiday tradition of the nonprofit, which is elated to revive its toy giveaway through the generosity of others.
Woodbridge head coach Amanda Small founded the wildly successful bowling tournament with support from her high school and school district. The Marisa Tufaro Classic generated well over a thousand toys for pediatric patients and children in need its first three years.
Since its inception in 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated more than $350,000 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 $33,000 in academic scholarships to 46 Middlesex County high school seniors and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to attend a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.
Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer 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 Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
RECOMMENDED ITEMS FOR DONATION
- Infant toys (toys that make noise, light up)
- Infant mobiles, crib mirrors, crib music players
- Baby rattles
- Toddler playsets (such as Little People)
- Barbie, princesses, baby dolls
- Play-Doh/Model Magic and tools
- Arts and craft supplies, coloring books, crayons, and markers
- Lego, Mega Bloks, K’NEX playsets
- Matchbox, Hot Wheels cars and playsets
- Uno cards, playing cards, other card games
- Children’s books (hardcover or paperback)
- Board books for babies
- Books for young teens and teens
- Board games
- Action figures (non-violent)
- Puzzles (25 to 100 pieces)
- Electronic learning toys
- Hand-held video games
- Sports equipment (basketballs, football, soccer balls)
- Educational games
- Portable DVD players, boom boxes, CD players
- iPads and Otterbox iPad protective cases
- Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming Station
Gift cards: Visa, American Express, Amazon, iTunes, Target