Roma Pizza to host benefit for local family

Cady Davis, News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
·2 min read

Mar. 13—HUDSON — The Caldwell County community is invited to join Roma Pizza Family Restaurant for a benefit fundraiser to help a local family in need on Tuesday, March 21.

Ashley Eltelbanty, owner of Roma Pizza Family Restaurant, has organized this fundraising event to help the family of Gwyn Bumgarner, who is currently on a ventilator at UNC Chapel Hill.

Gwyn has worked as a local UPS driver for 34 years. According to his wife, Brandi, he has had esophagus issues for most of his life. In late February, Gwyn swallowed some food that caused him severe discomfort and pain. He went to the emergency room where doctors were able to manage his pain.

After taking an X-ray, doctors discovered a mass in Gwyn's esophagus.

An endoscopy was performed, but due to his condition, he aspirated and contracted pneumonia. His lungs have become very inflamed, causing fever, shallow breathing, and low oxygen levels, and he has been on a ventilator ever since.

Last week, Gwyn was airlifted to UNC Chapel Medical Center where he met with a thoracic surgery team that found a perforated ulcer in his esophagus.

Brandi and Gwyn have two teenage daughters, one of whom, Lillie, worked for Eltelbanty at Roma Pizza. Brandi is also a cosmetologist at A New You Massage Therapy and Salon.

"You never know when it's going to be your time in need," said Eltelbanty. "It's only right to help someone in need ... His daughters are going through a lot. They all have to stay down there with him, so I wanted to help them with expenses like hotel, food, and gas."

On Tuesday, March 21, Roma Pizza Family Restaurant will offer spaghetti, salad and garlic bread plates for $10 all day for dine in or take out. Eltelbanty has partnered with local businesses for a raffle drawing for various donated prizes.

Additionally, Eltelbanty will accept donations in the form of cash, credit or check, and she said that money will go directly to helping the Bumgarner family.

"I'm just overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we've already had from the community, but this is a reminder of how good God is," said Brandi. "I thought it was really sweet of Ashley to reach out and do that for our family."

Brandi asks that the community pray for her husband to recover from his critical condition.

"The doctors are very hopeful," she said. "And I'm hopeful, too."

Roma Pizza Family Restaurant is located at 3068 Hickory Blvd, Hudson. Call 828-726-3783 or follow Roma Pizza Family Restaurant on Facebook for more information.