Leona's Pizzeria hosts fundraiser for families of 2 fallen Chicago firefighters
CHICAGO (CBS) – A simple slice of pizza helped the families of two fallen Chicago firefighters Friday evening.
A fundraiser was held on Friday in support of Lt. Jan Tchoryk and firefighter Jermaine Pelt. CBS 2's Noel Brennan and Sabrina Franza each went to the fundraiser at Leona's Pizzeria & Restaurant, at 3877 N. Elston Ave. in the Irving Park neighborhood.
The house was completely packed for the fundraiser that means so much to the firefighters' friends and family and even complete strangers, like the man who owns the restaurant.
"I expect to have an overwhelming response tonight," owner Billy Marino said before the fundraiser began. "We're ready to serve everybody."
The value of service runs deeper than the pizza at Leona's.
Marino chose a career in service different than most of his peers.
"I'd say half my graduating class is Chicago firemen, first responders and policemen," said Marino. "I went to St. Patrick's High School. We have a lot of guys on the force and when you lose people, everybody just starts to figure out, well, what can we do to help?"
Indeed there was an overwhelming response once the fundraiser began. The house was packed – and everyone who attended said matter-of-factly that it is because first responders are family.
"It's tragic for their families and our family, and we're there to show their families that we're in their corner," said former CFD Battalion Chief Steve Dodovich.
"Well, we're a family, and you know what? We're going to look after family," said Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. "That's what we do."
On April 4, Chicago lost firefighter Pelt. He died battling a house fire on South Wallace Street in the West Pullman neighborhood. Pelt was 49.
"He actually went to the academy with several of my friends, so it was personal right from the minute that it happened," Marino said.
The next day, the department lost Lt. Tchoryk, 55. He collapsed in the stairwell of a high-rise on Inner Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast during a fire, and later died.
"I just know he was a very, very well-loved man," Marino added.
Tchoryk and Pelt were both laid to rest last week.
On Friday, the celebration in their honor raised money for their families through the EMWQ Widows and Children's Assistance Fund.
"They risk their lives every day to keep us safe; to come and save you when you're burning; to come and save you when you're in a medical emergency; to come and save you when you're in a car accident," Marino said. "Public safety, EMTs, Fire Department - all the first responders – their job is to put themselves in harm's way to protect you. So we have to support them."
Marino did not know either of the firefighters personally, but their loss cuts deep.
"It cuts in everybody's soul and so it's just something that we really always go out of the way to help," he said.
Help can be as simple as serving pizza.
"Food is life," Marino said. "Sharing food with people is how you share life with people."
Support came by the dozens Friday when the fundraiser got started. Some indeed did knew Pelt or Tchoryk personally.
Pelt was the father to a 6-year-old boy.
"He was an instructor at the academy for a long time, and he did a lot of good; taught a lot of young guys about the real job," Dodovich said.
Others described Tchoryk as the life of a party just like the one in his honor at Leona's.
"John, I personally know – I worked with him for eight years – so he loved a good party, so he would love this," said CFD Lt. Jim Pack.
"If he wasn't a guest of honor tonight, he would have been here," Dodovich added.
Marino said they had raffles, a live auction with paintings and tickets.
They asked for $20 donations at the door and every dollar will go to the Chicago Fire Department's EMWQ Retirees, Widows and Children's Fund.
"I think the more you give back, the more you end up getting," Marino said.
That is what community calls good service.
"And there's nothing more Chicago and nothing more Chicago firemen than good, old-fashioned Chicago tavern-style pizza which we'll be serving tonight, he said.
Marino said once he took care of his staff, every single dollar would go into the Widows and Children's Fund.
