Fuce 5K Continues Its Run Under New Metuchen Borough Initiative

METUCHEN, NJ — There's a new way the borough can respond to the needs of its 15,000 residents - especially those facing unexpected tragedy, Mayor Jonathan Busch has announced.

Metuchen has introduced “It Takes A Borough,” a way to raise funds and distribute them to those in need, he said.

Referred to as "ITAB" for short, the initiative has its own Facebook site and logo, as you can see above.

And at its heart is a mission to be available with immediate funds or other help for residents "when adversity strikes," the program says.

The new borough initiative will now sponsor the popular Fuce 5K run, for many years organized by the Fuccile Foundation, formed in memory of a borough man who lost his life to violence.

At last year’s Fuce 5K, the Fuccile Foundation announced that it would end operations at the end of the year, Busch said.

But he said the borough will "carry forward the Fuccile Foundation’s torch by continuing to host both the beloved annual Fuce 5K and the Metuchen Cookie Walk each year so that we can continue to support residents whose lives have been impacted by tragedy or unforeseen circumstances."

Since last fall, borough officials have been collaborating with board members from the Fuccile Foundation, he said, in an effort to continue its mission through the new initiative.

“It Takes A Borough” began in 2018 as a way to support Metuchen families in need, he said.

It started when there was a government shutdown and many residents who were federal employees were not getting paid. The borough was able to help them with necessities until life returned to normal, he said.

Then, right before Christmas in 2021, the organization helped people displaced in a fire. It also was there to support people during COVID.

Now Busch said the nonprofit status of "It Takes A Borough" is being finalized and will become an even more visible part of borough life.

The volunteers of “It Takes A Borough,” many of whom previously served on the Fuccile Foundation board, "are extraordinary volunteers who, like so many others in Metuchen, have come together to support our community."

So the race is on this year - and "will be every year," Busch said. It is held on Father's Day, which this year is June 16.

That day was chosen for the race to honor Mike Fuccile, a borough resident, husband and father who was murdered in 2008 on his way to work to his office in Jersey City. You can read more about his life here.

To register for the 2024 Fuce 5K, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=8567.

The popular race draws at least 1,000 participants and its fundraising has helped many causes over the years.

"Most importantly is was a homegrown charity," Busch said.