Bethel 6 year old, Bela, has passed away

June 15, 2012

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Bethel 6 year old, Isabela (Bela) Romans, lost her battle with Juvenile Tay Sachs Disease today.

So many HamletHub readers supported our Bethel editor, Christie Macomber, when she organized a town-wide event, 'Bethel Bakes for Bethel'. Through your generosity, the bake sale raised over $1100 for Bela's family; enabling them to attend the Juvenile Tay Sachs Conference in Orlando and to surprise Bela with a trip to Disney World. Bela's dream of meeting Mickey Mouse, and her mom's dream of finding help and support through the conference, were made possible because so many sent in donations- and not just money: cookies, Mets tickets, handmade blankets (to name a few).

Here is an excerpt from Christie's 'Thank You' post:

Thank you to all who put on your aprons and baked your finest and sweetest recipes. The bake sale wouldn't have been successful without your efforts. Despite the dreary day, sunshine was abundant in the Bethel Municipal Center. Some donation highlights:

A Ridgefield family donated $150 (mailing the donation from Japan where they have taken temporary residence).
Peter Suozzi, a Ridgefield resident and owner of Liberty Tax Services (with offices in Brewster and Danbury) donated 200 plus Otis Spunkmeyer Cookies for the bake sale. When I went to pick them up Peter also donated 5 Free Tax Returns for the Raffle!
When I went to pick up cupcakes from a baker who works for the United Way, an employee, Karen Mello, handed me a baby blanket she had made for Bela.
Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez and Ron Darlings Pitch in for a Good Cause foundation donated 4 Mets Tickets to be raffled off. We raised nearly $400 from this raffle.
An anonymous Bethel family generously donated $500!
Brennan Purdy, State Farm in Bethel generously donated $100 in raffle tickets
Anna Riolo a Bethel 9 year old sold handmade bracelets for Bela. Anna made a great sign and sat at our bake sale for 2 hours. She was able to contribute $50 to the cause!
4^th grade Teacher Kathleen Quader wanted to help and have her students help as well. She organized a Family Fun Night for Thursday, April 5^th. It include several craft stations, pizza and snacks. The suggested donation is $25 per family and all proceeds with go to Bela’s family as well. Kathleen said "I am glad we were able to do this fundraiser. It was wonderful! We raised $3000.00 for the Roman family, I am so proud of our students, staff, parents, and friends!"

Bela and her family have enough money to attend the Juvenile Tay Sachs Conference in Orlando. And, another dream has come true due to the generosity of so many. Because of the amount of money raised, Bela’s family can now make their daughter’s wish come true: while in Orlando, Bela will be able to visit Mickey Mouse and all of the amazing characters at Disney World! She is overjoyed!

THANK YOU for all that you did to brighten Bela's last few months.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.