Wondering what the long line is all about in Campbell? Pizza My Heart is hosting a fundraiser all day today to support American Medical Response paramedic Bryan Stow, 42, who was attacked in the parking lot of a Giants vs. Dodgers baseball game in Los Angeles Thursday.
"Some people think it's only from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., but we are going all day until 10 p.m.," says Amy Betz, manager at the Pizza My Heart at 1875 So. Bascom Ave. "The foot traffic has been pretty good. We've had a lot of EMTs from San Jose stop by. Just mention his name before paying."
30 percent of proceeds from all 19 Bay Area locations will go to the Bryan Stow fund, to help him recover from injuries he sustained when two suspects severely beat him in the parking lot for wearing Giants gear.
“This fundraiser was a no-brainer for us,” said Pizza My Heart owner Chuck Hammers. “EMTs are putting their lives on the line every day, so the least we can do is help him in return.”
Hammers said the father of two and other local paramedics frequented the San Jose location weekly.
“Our entire staff knew him, and when they saw his picture on the news, they said, ‘That’s our boy!” Hammers said.
The fundraiser was originally planned for just the Santa Clara County locations during the afternoon, but the response was so positive that Hammers decided to extend it to all restaurant locations.
“It usually takes a couple of weeks to plan fundraisers like this, so we’ve had to scramble,” Hammers said. “So we hope people will understand if delivery is a little slow today, because it’s all for a good cause.”
Hammers added that he hopes big companies will order lunch from the pizza restaurant. An order from Merrill Lynch has already been placed, he said.
A barbecue hosted by the Santa Clara County American Medical Response EMTs will also raise funds for the family Wednesday, at 1670 Las Plumas Ave. in San Jose. It will begin at noon and go to 8 p.m. and will include face painting and cotton candy.
Stow, who works as a paramedic in Santa Clara County, was walking with three friends when suspects clad in Dodgers clothing approached him from behind at about 8:25 p.m. on Thursday’s season opener, which the Giants lost 2-1.
The suspects first taunted Stow, who was wearing Giants gear, and then hit him from behind, which caused him to fall to the ground, where he was then kicked repeatedly in the head and body.
Stow's friends, who were also wearing Giants clothing and are from the Bay Area, tried to intervene and were also attacked. They suffered minor injuries and were released at the scene.
The suspects haven't been arrested as of today, but police released sketches of the two men, who are between the ages of 18 and 25.
A reward of $25,000 from three different sources has been issued for information leading to the arrest of the two men.
On Saturday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich offered a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the suspects' arrest, said Tony Bell, the supervisor's spokesman.
The San Francisco Giants today also agreed to add a $10,000 reward of their own, and American Medical Response, the paramedic company Stow works for, is also offering a $5,000 reward, Bell said.
The reward "will encourage someone with information to step forward so we can bring these assailants to justice," Bell said.
"This is an affront to everyone who lives in Los Angeles County, and affects our reputation, so (the supervisor) felt strongly that we need to bring these people to justice."
Anyone with information about the attack is encouraged to call Los Angeles police at 877-527-3247.
To donate to the Bryan Stow fund, visit cuswirl.com/how-to-donate-fundraiser-for-paramedic-bryan-stow, or via PayPal using account stowdonations@gmail.com.
—Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
Updated Tuesday, 4:38 p.m.
