Newtown Friends Hosting

Family Event For Stricken Child

A recent Newtown Bee article about 11-year-old EJ Carfi who suffers from epidermolysis bullosa, a rare disorder that causes his skin to blister at the slightest touch, has inspired an afternoon fundraiser. EJ’s Newtown relatives and friends, including Ellen Goyda, have been working for months to help raise money to remodel the child’s Ridgefield home to make it wheelchair accessible, and to cover the family’s rising medical costs. 

After reading the article, resident Debbie Leidlein felt compelled to help, as did many residents and businesses in the area. This growing contingent of concerned Newtowners have organized a community fundraiser appropriately called, “A Day for EJ.”

“We are billing the event as ‘family fun for everyone,’ because we are inviting everyone in the community to come out and support this cause while spending some family time together,” Ms Leidlein said. 

“A Day for EJ,” will take place at Dickenson Park thanks to the donation of the pavilion by Newtown Parks and Recreation Department. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, from noon to 3 pm, and co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, WIN - Women Involved in Newtown, and “A House for EJ,” a Fairfield County nonprofit organized to handle tax deductible donations for the overall fundraising effort.

According to Ms Leidlein, the Pepsi Bottling Company has donated soda for the event, Dave Parks, owner of Spin Doctor DJ, volunteered to entertain the crowd, and Space Walk of Western Connecticut in Beacon Falls is bringing two inflatables for the afternoon. 

Storm, the mascot of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey team, will make a special appearance around 1 pm, and there will be children’s crafts and face-painting throughout the day. There will also be several raffle prizes, including a Nintendo Wii, four Yankees tickets to the May 22 game against the Orioles, and 35 Webkinz donated by the Ganz company. 

Families will be able to enjoy lunch and all the activities. A $20 ticket buys four lunches and two unlimited activity passes for the kids. Ala cart food and activities will also be available with proceeds going to help EJ.

For additional information, contact at Ms Leidlein at 203-982-3702.