Braintree Fun Fest and Craft Fair to Raise Money for Woman with Neuromuscular Disease

From the Braintree Fun Fest and Craft Fair

Braintree, MA — On Sunda,y July 17, a carnival-style fundraiser known as the Braintree Fun Fest & Craft fair will take place at French’s Common in Braintree as part of an effort to raise money for a wheelchair accessible van for Braintree resident, Crystal Evans.

Braintree Fun Fest will include over 20 carnival style games as well as giant versions of classic games you won’t want to miss such as Kerplunk, Jenga, and Human Hungry Hungry Hippos. Other activities include face painting, a children’s craft, music & entertainment. There will also be food, raffles, and a silent auction. The craft & vendor fair includes over 30 vendors.

The fundraiser is 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tickets for admission will be available at the entrance to French’s Common. Admission is a $5 donation per person and includes 5 game tickets. Tickets for additional games, as well as raffle tickets, can be purchased inside the event. All proceeds go towards Crystal’s accessible van fund. For more information, visit www.braintreefunfest.com

Crystal is a 35-year-old Braintree resident, mother to her 6-year-old daughter, Sophie, and is living with neuromuscular disease. You might remember her from being on Channel 5 & CNN winter 2015 shoveling sidewalks from her wheelchair. This past year, Crystal has survived her most serious challenge yet; she is in respiratory failure because the muscles needed for breathing have weakened to the point where she needed to undergo a tracheostomy in February and is permanently ventilator-dependent in order to breathe. She has spent 92 days in the hospital since Christmas morning, 2015.

Crystal’s increasing respiratory issues have made transportation to doctors and errands difficult. The RIDE (wheelchair transit) no longer allows same-day trips, ambulances cannot accommodate a wheelchair in emergencies, and Braintree has no wheelchair-accessible taxis and limited bus service. Having an accessible van would make it easier for Crystal to get around Braintree, get to doctors appointments, as well as to the hospital with her wheelchair in an emergency. To donate directly to the van fund, or to learn more about Crystal: https://www.gofundme.com/EnergizerCrystal