Pronto Pizza Kitchen and the Toppen Family Raise Money for "Puppies Behind Bars"

Paul Sanfilippo of Pronto Pizza presents a check to Pam Toppen, mother of PFC Aaron Toppen, after a successful fundraising effort for “Puppies Behind Bars” in PFC Toppen’s memory. Credit: Pronto Pizza Kitchen

Pronto Pizza Kitchen of Orland Park recently honored the memory of PFC Aaron Toppen by teaming with the Toppen family to raise $1,770 for “Puppies Behind Bars.”

PFC Toppen, 19, of Mokena, lost his life on June 9, 2014, while serving in Iraq.

Pronto Pizza employees Paul Sanfilippo and Gino Falashetti were Lincoln-Way East High School friends of PFC Toppen who spent time fishing and participating in other outdoor activities together. Paul and Gino were pleased to participate in the fundraiser in Aaron’s name. The Toppen family chose to benefit the “Puppies Behind Bars” charity that trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Customers were encouraged to make cash donations or to purchase pizzas or salads with a portion of each sale going towards the “Puppies Behind Bars” effort.

They raised $1,770 and the charity reported that this total will go twice as far due to a challenge grant currently in effect. In addition, the charity is naming a new service dog puppy “Toppen” in PFC Toppen’s honor and in gratitude for his family’s sacrifice.

The Toppen Family and Pronto Pizza thank all of the generous customers for their participation in this fundraising effort.

More information about the charity is at www.puppiesbehindbars.com. More information about Pronto Pizza Kitchen is available at 708-966-0010 or www.prontopizzakitchen.com.