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THE BLUEPRINT:
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Hundreds of Long Island pizzerias joining Feb. 25 LI Pizza Strong fundraiser
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$5 from every pizza sold goes to the family of fallen Officer Patricia Espinosa
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Officer Espinosa was killed Jan. 31 in St. James by a suspected drunk driver
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Event draws participation from Queens, Westchester, New Jersey, and South Carolina
Hundreds of pizzerias across Long Island, and several outside the region, are participating in the LI Pizza Strong event on Feb. 25. The event is designed to raise money for the family of Nassau County Police Officer Patricia Espinosa, a wife and mother who was killed on her way to work on Jan. 31 by a suspected drunk driver after a crash in St. James.
For every pie sold, participating pizzerias will donate $5 to the family.
“Let’s turn pizza into purpose and support her family the only way we know how, together,” LI Pizza Strong said on its Facebook page.
LI Pizza Strong was launched in October 2023 to help local causes in need. It was created, according to published reports, by Anthony Laurino, owner of Phil’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Syosset; Alyssa Guidice, founder of the Dine-LI Facebook page; and Jim Serpico, owner of Serpico’s Bread Co. food truck.
The first event, according to LI Pizza Strong, drew 143 participating pizzerias, raising $102,200 for families impacted by the crash of a charter bus carrying the Farmingdale High School band. The crash, according to published reports, killed two teachers and injured students.
An April 2024 event raised $181,500 from 257 pizzerias for the family of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in Queens.
And an October 2024 event raised $105,000 from 199 locations for families impacted by a crash in West Babylon which, according to published reports, killed several teens.
The Feb. 25 event is gaining buzz, including with a video posted to social media featuring Leg. Arnold Drucker and Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce President Russel Green at Mario’s Pizzeria of Syosset.
Drucker said the initiative to support local police while eating pizza “a great combination,” adding that he was grateful to LI Pizza Strong and participating pizzerias.
The February event is also drawing establishments from Queens, Westchester, New Jersey and even South Carolina.
The full list of participating eateries is listed here.
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Adina Genn
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