Raising a Glass for Carly Pfeiffer

It could have been confused for any Friday or Saturday night at  in Cranford. Crowds jammed the bar area, having a drink and chatting with friends, while tables filled with local residents enjoying a burger or shepherd’s pie. Instead, it was Monday, and hundreds had come out to support the Carly Pfeiffer Memorial Fund, which was receiving 10 percent of every bill. The fund, established , aims to defray education costs for Carly, who was 1 year old at the time of Jim's death.

Kilkenny owner Barry O’Donovan, who frequently holds similar fundraisers at his pub, said he was inspired to hold this latest event by Cranford Police Captain Joe Van Bergen, who had participated in a Pfeiffer Fund fundraiser at the Crossroads in Garwood organized by teachers . O'Donovan learned that Pfeiffer was a 1998 graduate of Cranford High School, and that Pfeiffer's parents continue to reside in the township. 

Although O'Donovan hosted fundraisers for the Relay for Life and a Cranford-based social services charity this month, the Pfeiffer event ultimately proved "by far the biggest."

The pub experienced a steady flow of customers throughout the day, including Westfield and Cranford firefighters and police officers, who stopped by for take-out. As dinner approached, the size of the crowd steadily grew, with patrons waiting as long as 20 minutes for an open table. Many also lingered later for dessert and drinks.

A contingent of Westfield firefighters remained at Kilkenny all evening, along with visiting firefighters from other departments, including a large group from Elizabeth. Cranford High School alumni also milled about during the evening. 

The event included raffles for golf clubs, New York Yankees jerseys and a flat-screen television. O’Donovan donated many of the prizes, adding that he also received contributions from the .

Pfeiffer served as a Westfield firefighter for 10 years before his death.  his August funeral, which was attended by hundreds, Pfeiffer achieved national media attention in 2005 when he used his slender 6’1, 160-pound frame to rescue a small child who had fallen into a 10-inch wide hole in Tamaques Park. The rescue came five years to the day before his death. Pfeiffer was posthumously promoted to lieutenant.

The Kilkenny fundraiser was the latest in a steady stream of grassroots fundraisers for the fund. In addition to the fundraiser at the Crossroads, a in March, Gold Medal Fitness of Garwood held a fundraiser in September, and Westfield's  in October dedicated its proceeds to the Carly Pfeiffer Fund.

In addition, days after Pfeiffer’s death, Edison resident Hal Smolanoff, a friend of Westfield FMBA President Mike Sawicki,  he was running to Pfeiffer.   for the fund.

As of press time, the total amount raised at Kilkenny had not yet been calculated. Nevertheless, O’Donovan said that it was an event will remember for a long time.

“This is an extra special one, because it’s a special cause,” he said.