Fundraiser supports Marla Makes A Difference

Jun. 24—WEST MIDDLESEX — A recent fundraiser will help provide school supplies to local children, although there's still a chance to contribute toward that effort.

The annual double-elimination cornhole tournament was held June 15 at Nancy's Tavern in West Middlesex, where participants could raise funds for the nonprofit organization "Marla Makes A Difference."

The organization is named for the late West Middlesex graduate Marla Pivarnik, who passed away in her sleep at the age of 22 due to prescriptions accidentally prescribed by two separate doctors.

Marla's love for education and shopping for school supplies led her family and friends to form Marla Makes A Difference, which has hosted school supply donations at the West Middlesex Area School District and other locations over the years.

Marla's mother Melinda Pivarnik said the tournament "was a success," with about 11 teams of two people each participating.

In first place were Brad and Ron, who won $100. The second place winners, Jesse and Morgan, won $50.

Brad and Ron subsequently donated their winnings back to the nonprofit, Melinda said.

"People really enjoy that tournament," Melinda said. "The winners this year have been here playing for the last four years. This was the first time they won."

Aside from the cornhole tournament, there was a basket auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Some local businesses, such as Barris Supply, donated funds for the auction, while other businesses, such as Claudia's Salon, donated baskets.

There were also T-shirts sold as part of the fundraiser. The T-shirts, which said "Marla makes a difference forever in our hearts," were designed by Melinda's neighbor Shayna Saldana and donated to the fundraiser by Melinda's friend Bob Sharek.

Overall, the fundraiser collected about $1,764, Melinda said.

"There's a lot of people in the community that look forward to it, even if they're not playing cornhole," Melinda said. "A lot of Marla's friends would stop by and give us a hug and donate even if they couldn't play."

When the school year begins this fall, Marla Makes A Difference is expected to donate school supplies purchased with the raised funds — including pencils, crayons and notebooks that say "Marla's Notebooks" — to the fourth, fifth and sixth grade students at West Middlesex Area School District.

Aside from this donation at the school, Melinda said the nonprofit sometimes provides backpacks with supplies to individual families in need.

For more info, contact Melinda at [email protected] To donate toward Marla Makes A Difference, visit the organization's Venmo page under Melinda Pivarnik @MarlaMakesADifference.

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