LI Pizza Strong Raises Over $181K For Family of Slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, Three Police Charities
On Sunday, May 19th, the organizers of LI Pizza Strong – a fundraiser to support police held on April 17th where pizzerias all across Long Island donated $5 for every pie they sold – presented Stephanie Diller, the widow of slain NYPD police officer Jonathan Diller and three charities that back the blue with a check for $181,550.
Diller, who has had to endure the unimaginable when her husband, Jonathan, was shot to death while conducting a traffic stop in Far Rockaway.
“I am proud to be a Long Islander,” Diller said.
Stephanie Diller, widow of slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, speaks during the check presentation from LI Pizza Strong.
She was called to the podium inside Phil’s Pizza shop in Syosset on Sunday morning. Accompanying her was her family, including her brother.
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino was also on hand.
“We must protect the people who project us,” he said. “Here on Long Island we back the blue.”
Long Island Pizza Strong brought the power of the food service community together to raise funds for the family of Massapequa resident Jonathan Diller and three other charities that Back the Blue, including The Silver Shield Foundation, Beyond the Badge NY and Project Thank a Cop.
The founders of LI Pizza Strong being interviewed on Sunday, May 19th.
Alyssa Guidice, who runs the popular Dine LI Facebook group, along with Anthony Laurino from Phil’s Pizzeria in Syosset and Jim Serpico from Side Hustle Bread, all founded Long Island Pizza Strong last fall in response to another tragedy that struck Long Island when a bus carrying the Farmingdale High School Band crashed.
In total, there were 31,377 pies sold during the fundraiser and $181,550 was raised, which includes some additional donations.
Pizza boxes used during LI Pizza Strong Back the Blues fundraiser.
Laurino said that LI Pizza Strong was held for the Diller family and the police charities, whose representatives joined organizers, pizzeria owners, and officials for the check presentation.
“We didn’t want to have to be here but we made history for a second time,” he said.
