Leo’s Restaurant Southbury to host annual Pie Eating Contest in honor of local 4-year-old boy with rare genetic disorder
On August 27, 2017 at 4PM Leo’s Restaurant of Southbury is hosting its annual Pie Eating contest to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Owners Bob and Michelle Moniz and Rose Leo were inspired to organize this event three years ago to support a local child, Alex Owens, who lives with neurofibromatosis (NF.) NF is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects one in every 3,000 people. Currently there is no cure or effective treatment for NF. Money raised will be donated to the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF), a nonprofit whose mission is to end NF through research.
Now 4-years-old, Alex is being treated for tumors on his brain and back. When asked about his condition Alex openly shows off his “bump” by flipping his shirt up and turning around. After four years visiting 11 different medical specialists, having his tumor examined by strangers is commonplace for this little boy.
Alex was named after one of history’s most brilliant military leaders, Alexander the Great, which is a fitting namesake for this little warrior. Alex attends preschool, gymnastics and swimming. He loves playing Super Heroes with his older brother Justy and going to Leo's Restaurant for his 1-1-1 breakfast special.
“Seeing our community come out to support Alex and his family is just incredible,” said Bob Moniz, owner of Leo’s Restaurant Southbury. “We love having the opportunity to be part of it.” For the past two years, Bob has personally baked the pies fresh in the early hours of the morning the day of the fundraiser. Last year the event raised over $3,000 for NF research, due in part to a generous donation from the Southbury Police and other local volunteers.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation supports NF research, raises awareness, and provides support for individuals with NF and their families. This event helps kids, adults and families learn about the rare disorder while promoting community service, teamwork, and fun.
WHAT: Leo’s Restaurant Annual Pie Eating Contest- Southbury
WHO: Kids, Adults, Friends and Families. On-leash dogs are welcome, too!
WHERE: Bennett Square Plaza7 Poverty Road Southbury, CT 06488
WHEN: Sunday August 27, 2016 Check-In Begins 3:45 PM Pie Eating Begins 4:15 PM
The event includes other child-friendly activities such as face-painting and hair chalking. Food and refreshment are also for sale with all profits going to the charity. There are three categories of pie-eating competition: children, men and women.
For additional information and registration, visit https://join.ctf.org/leospiecontest2017
About Children’s Tumor Foundation
The Children’s Tumor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis (NF), a term for three distinct disorders: NF1, NF2, and schwannomatosis. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. NF affects 1 in every 3,000 births across all populations equally. There is no cure yet – but the Children’s Tumor Foundation mission of driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community fosters our vision of one day ending NF. For more information, please visit www.ctf.org.