If you want to know what the embodiment of “love thy neighbor” looks like, look no further than Dora Ramos of Edison.
For more than three decades, when township residents were in need of help – whether it be a warm winter coat, a new pair of eyeglasses or shoes, or food to get through the week – Ramos would often lend a helping hand through the organization she founded, Community Action Reaches Everyone.
Better known by the acronym C.A.R.E., the organization existed informally for two decades and then as a formal foundation for 12 years. The grassroots service group, started with the help of Dora’s husband, Jimmy, was known for seamlessly offering assistance to countless residents when needed.
Recently, C.A.R.E. was disbanded as the Ramoses became grandparents and are planning their retirement with a move to Texas to be closer to their son, Christopher, and his family, including new granddaughter, Naomi. But, Ramos has ensured the spirit of the organization she lovingly nurtured will continue through the good works of The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which has been gifted with C.A.R.E.’s remaining funds.
Established just over two years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has already made a profound impact, donating more than $100,000 and spearheading multiple community initiatives to help pediatric patients and other children in need.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.
In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation awards college scholarship dollars to exceptional high school students who advance the nonprofit’s mission.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to continue C.A.R.E.’s legacy of assisting others in need.
C.A.R.E. was an outgrowth of Ramos’ deep concern for others and her observation that families in Edison sometimes needed a helping hand to move forward. “When we started this, I saw that families needed things and I’d say to my husband, ‘Come on, we have to go shopping,’” she said.
The seed for C.A.R.E. was planted when Ramos took Christopher to school for the first time and was surprised to be greeted in her native Spanish by a teacher who suggested she get involved in the PTA. Ramos, who worried about her then lack of proficiency with English, asked what she could possibly do. She was told there were lots of things – from making coffee to taking photographs at events. Grateful to be included in the school community, she knew she wanted to “give back.” With that, she began to look around a little closer and could see a need. “As a parent, I’d see something and would think, ‘Oh boy, that kid needs shoes,’” she said.
In time, she found others who assisted her and led her to those in need of a helping hand. In addition to school district teachers, administrators, and staff, Ramos speaks with great warmth for members of the Edison Township Police Department who would let her know when someone needed a boost that C.A.R.E could provide.
The organization grew into a group that had 200 to 300 people who would volunteer and would participate in the organization’s fundraisers, including its walk-a-thons and food and coat drives. She also expressed gratitude for businesses located in the municipality that would donate funds or other items that were needed on a regular basis.
As her mission grew, so did the strength of C.A.R.E. and the importance of doing due diligence. “One of the things that distinguished C.A.R.E. is that we did our own assessments. I was very proud of that,” Ramos said. “I wanted to make sure that the people we were helping really needed the help – and that they got it.”
C.A.R.E., which had a nine-person executive board, also ran career programs for children and sponsored peer-to-peer mentoring with the help of residents committed to its mission of community service.
Ramos has a lot of which to be proud, including her son, Christopher, who went to Columbia University and earned both a medical degree and an MBA. A gastroenterologist in Texas, Ramos notes, “He’s a good soul who helps people too.”
She recalls that as a youngster, her son and some of his friends would help her with C.A.R.E. initiatives. She was always very pleased when those same friends would volunteer for C.A.R.E as adults. She is grateful for her husband Jimmy who would ungrudgingly go with her and help on weekends and nights when she was on a mission to assist someone.
Ramos is gratified that many people were assisted by C.A.R.E, that her large circle of friends and supporters were able to make a difference for the people of Edison, and that she could show that giving back comes in many forms. “It doesn’t have to be money, there are many ways to give back to others,” she said.
As she wraps up some of the loose ends to dissolve C.A.R.E., Ramos is pleased that she could donate the organization’s remaining funds to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation. Ramos has known Tufaro Foundation co-founder, Cyndi Tufaro, for many years. “She is a kind soul,” Ramos said. “I wanted to pass it along to someone who would do something good, and when Cyndi does something, she does it from the heart … It makes you feel good. (The Tufaros) care.”
Looking back on what she was able to create, Ramos said, “I am a very religious person. The good Lord put me here for a good reason.”
For many in Edison, that “good reason” was C.A.R.E. and that Ramos was a firm believer in “love thy neighbor.”
It was an honor to serve on the C.A.R.E. board and help my” amiga” Dora fulfill her dream. The decision to pass on our remaining funds to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation was an easy one. We know that the Tufaros are very dedicated to the community and families in need.