Gym Organizes Fitness Fundraiser for Pfeiffer Fund

Hearing the story about the death of Westfield firefighter Jim Pfeiffer and knowing his widow, Christine, from grade school and high school, fitness trainer Heather Fresco knew she wanted to help out.

Fresco had run fundraisers in the past out of Gold Medal Fitness in Garwood and decided to organize an even to raise money for the Carly Pfeiffer Memorial Fund, the scholarship fund set up for the Pfeiffers' one-year-old daughter following her father's death in August. Thus was born charitable fitness classes for this Sunday, Sept. 19.

"When I heard what happened I was terribly heartbroken and thought about what I could do to help," Fresco said.

The event will consist of a 90-minute spin class at the gym, followed by a 90-minute Zumba dance class. Participants are asked to pay $20 for either of the classes, with the event being open to non-gym members. The spin class will be led by three instructors, with five instructors leading the dance class. The spin class starts at 9:30 a.m. and the Zumba class starts at 11:40 a.m.

Zumba is a popular exercise class consisting of Latin dance moves.

Jim Pfeiffer, a third generation Westfield firefighter nationally recognized for his heroic actions, died following a freak accident at his Mountainside home on Aug. 22. The memorial fund was set up by the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association following his death to provide for the education of his only child.

This is the second fundraiser by an outside person for the Pfeiffer Fund. The first occurred the day before Labor Day when Edison resident Hal Smolanoff, a friend of the FMBA president, used a 5K race to raise funds for the Pfeiffer fund. Smolanoff's effort .

Fresco said she hopes that she can get members of the gym and others involved in the two classes to help raise more money for Carly Pfeiffer's education. Participants can sign up on Sunday at Gold Medal Fitness, which is located at 475 North Avenue in Garwood, across the street from the Westwood.

"We're hoping to get a nice turnout," Fresco said.

Donations to the Carly Pfeiffer Fund can be sent c/o the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association at 405 North Avenue West, Westfield, NJ 07090.