Retired air force Master Sgt Mark Evans and his son, 16-year-old Kent were watching TV news all about our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan when the son came up with the idea of sending them Lou Malnati's pizzas for he Fourth of July
"I feel that it's good because the soldiers in Iraq won't feel forgotten by the Americans," said Kent Evans.
"Those soldiers should celebrate it like us, and hopefully this will help bring a slice of home to them," said Mark Evans.
Evans, a 26-year veteran of the Air Force, says his next step was to contact the restaurant corporation's frozen pizza division to see if they were willing to be a part of pizzas 4 Patriots. They said yes, and started making even more pizzas to be frozen and delivered to troops serving in the war.
"He emailed us back that they were having a Fourth of July party. And he said this is perfect timing. We sure could use these," said Sally Glunz, Lou Malnati's.
In the past, Evans sent pizzas to Bosnia. This time he was hoping to send at least 300 of his favorite deep-dish pizzas, and now he has collected enough money to perhaps make it to 2,000 pizzas. But he is still out there raising awareness and money. Father and son want everyone to know that nothing is impossible.
"I hope this brings joy to them," said Mark Evans.
"One person can do a lot if they have a mindset to do it," said Kent Evans.
DHL International is delivering the pizzas at their own cost. They will go out Friday at around 2 p.m. to be in the Middle East for the Fourth of July.
Donation Points:
Itasca Bank
308 W. Irving Park. Rd.
Itasca, IL, 60143
Make checks payable to Pizzas 4 Patriots
With questions, call Christine at 847.812.7661
Mail donations to:
Pizzas 4 Patriots
1268 Leeds Lane
Elk Grove Village IL, 60007
