SPOKANE -- A plan to donate pizza profits to the families of four murdered Lakewood Police officers is causing some long lines, but happy faces. Many people made a donation just by ordered lunch.
Select Papa John's pizza shops across Washington are donating 100% of their sales from Tuesday and Wednesday to a fund for the officer's families. Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, and Greg Richards were killed November 29 while sitting inside a Western Washington coffee shop by a man who opened fire inside the store.
Statewide law enforcement conducted a massive search and later shot and killed the suspected gunman, Maurice Clemmons. The four officers were honored at a memorial service inside the Tacoma Dome Tuesday.
Just in Spokane, the turnout has been huge. KREM 2 stopped by one store in North Spokane where not donating their profits isn't an option. Behind the fogged up windows, Papa John's employees are trying to keep up with orders, pressing dough, loading ovens and filling boxes.
Melissa Pemberton says co-workers pitched in for seven pizzas after hearing all the sales will be donated to the families of the four fallen Lakewood Police officers. And Pemberton isn't alone. In one day, this North Spokane store surpassed previous sale records.
More than 90 orders were filled by noon Wednesday, keeping drivers busy delivering to businesses all over town. Viewers reported at least one location ran out of pizza dough, one location stopped answering the phone during the dinner rush, and another had a wait of at least two hours and full lobby of waiting customers.
A North Idaho viewer called a Coeur d'Alene Papa John's store, and upon learning they weren't participating in the event, drove to the Papa John's on Wellesley to support the fundraiser. But overall, viewers said they were all happy to support the cause.
There are several ways you can help the victims' families by making donations. You can donate online here: http://www.lpig.us/. For those who don't have internet access, here is the regular mailing address:
Lakewood Police Independent Guild
Benevolent Fund
P.O. Box 99579
Lakewood, WA 98499
