Berkeley Community Wears Red For Carly Day

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township continues to honor the legacy and impact of Carly Fetzer, a Bayville woman who battled a congenital heart defect.

On the third annual "Carly Day," the township and community at the Central Regional School District remember the 18-year-old, who died in April 2019, for her courage and perseverance.

“Carly was a remarkable young lady who endured so much and left us too soon,” Mayor Carmen Amato told Patch. “We will continue to recognize February 12th as Carly Fetzer Day. A day we reflect and remember Carly for the courageous battle she fought, her infectious smile and her love for her friends and family.”

Amato signed a declaration in 2019 to create "Carly Day" in Berkeley. The local holiday falls during February's American Heart Month and Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week from Feb. 7-14.

Carly was a Special Needs Ambassador at the Bayville Elks Lodge and a 2018 Central Regional High School graduate. She played Challenger Sports and was a fixture on the Lacey Storm travel softball team that her twin sister Ryanne played for. Read more: Berkeley Remembers Carly For Her Courage, Perseverance, Smile

Faculty and students at the Central Regional School District wore red on Friday in remembrance of her. A white flag with two red hearts in the center was raised in front of the middle school.

“She definitely was a role model when you’d look at what you have in your own life as far as what concerns or obstacles you may have,” said Central Regional Middle School Principal Joseph Firetto. “She was an inspiration to all of us.”

Christine Johnson taught Carly for five years from middle school through high school. Johnson helped her learn many subjects, including reading, math and life skills.

“She always wanted to be helping people in the classroom. She would try to make people smile,” Johnson said.

When Carly became too sick to attend school in person, Johnson brought lessons to her home every day. While Johnson mentored Carly in classroom subjects, Carly also taught her valuable life lessons.

“She taught us that in life you can achieve anything with a little love and a lot of help from family,” Johnson said. “There are no obstacles too small or too large to get over.”

Many faculty members at the school celebrated her legacy by wearing Team Carly and Queen of Hearts shirts made available through Believe 4 Carly, a Facebook group that promotes awareness about congenital heart defects.

Amato encourages all township residents to show their support for Carly and all who battle heart disease by wearing the color red on Friday.

Amato’s full proclamation can be read below:

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