Loyola Academy Alumni Deliver Pizza To Cops During Coronavirus

WILMETTE, IL — Young alumni from Loyola Academy raised thousands of dollars and provided pizzas, coffee and donuts to local police departments and a physical rehabilitation center during Holy Week.

Graduates were encouraged by a video posted to social media by Saly Sebastian, a 2006 Loyola alum and the board president of its president's leadership council, school officials said. According to a news release, the council's COVID-19 support initiative raised $6,000 in the week leading up Easter to support first responders, essential workers and families in need at Loyola.

"It has been truly incredible to see the outpouring of support, which enabled us to surpass our goal in just a few short days. We are so grateful to the Loyola Academy family and have never been more proud to be Ramblers," Sebastian said.

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The initiative was aided by a pair of fellow Loyola alumni and local business owners. Pat Fowler, a 2003 grad and owner of the restaurants Candlelite Chicago in Rogers Park and Firehouse Grill in Evanston, helped provide the pizzas. Michael Salvatore, a 1999 grad and the owner of Heritage Bicycles, helped provide coffee and donuts.

"Fowler and Salvatore were able to provide more than meals to first responders—they delivered laughs, gratitude and a moment of solace to our most essential and deserving workers," according to the release.

Fowler and Salvatore delivered variety pizzas, coffee and donuts to the Wilmette Police Department, the Glenview Police Department, the Evanston Police Department and two deliveries of pizzas to the 16th District Chicago police station, it said.

Cheese pizzas were also twice delivered to a location of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly known as the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute, where the chair of Loyola's board is the chief administrative officer.