Long Islanders have the chance to make a difference this Wednesday by doing something they already enjoy—eating pizza.
As part of its third fundraiser, Long Island Pizza Strong has rallied 195 pizzerias across the region to support the victims of a devastating car crash that occurred in West Babylon in September. The tragic incident claimed the lives of two teenagers and left three others with serious injuries.
For every pizza sold on Wednesday, October 23, participating pizzerias will donate $5 to the families affected by the crash. A full list of participating locations can be found on the LI Pizza Strong website, organized by county.
The accident, which took place on September 21, claimed the lives of 18-year-old Riley Goot and 17-year-old Bella Trezza. Meanwhile, Austin Trezza, Jack Murphy, 18, and Anthony Pagliuca, 16, were all hospitalized with severe injuries. Riley was pronounced dead shortly after the crash at Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, while Bella passed away on September 25 after spending four days on life support. Her organ donations saved three lives.
The other three teenagers remain on a difficult path to recovery, and the community continues to rally around them.
This latest fundraiser follows previous successful efforts by LI Pizza Strong. The organization raised $102,000 for victims of the Farmingdale High School bus crash, which also occurred on September 21, 2023. In that tragic event, a bus carrying students tumbled down a ravine in Orange County, resulting in multiple injuries and the deaths of two adults. Proceeds from the pizza sales were distributed to the injured students, the families of the victims, and the school’s marching band.
The organizer of LI Pizza Strong, Alyssa Guidice, said that holding the third fundraiser for the Babylon crash victims was an easy decision. “We were destined to do it,” she told Patch, noting that the Babylon crash occurred just 20 hours after the Farmingdale bus accident.
The first fundraiser, involving 140 pizzerias, resulted in $102,200 in donations. In April 2024, a second fundraiser brought in $181,500 for the family of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and several pro-police charities.
In recognition of these efforts, Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino issued a proclamation naming October 25 as Long Island Pizza Day, spurring the group to continue their one-day fundraising tradition.
This Wednesday, Long Islanders can support a worthy cause just by ordering a pizza.
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