BRACKENRIDGE, Pa. — Maddio's Pizza and Subs in Brackenridge has been helping local families raise money for their children’s medical treatments for four years.
The owner said this year, someone is using his name and mission to try to profit off the community’s generosity.
The pizza shop’s Operation Santa Clause this year aims to help Sydney Brison, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009 when she was 3 years old. After three battles in the last seven years, Sydney was admitted to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in November with a lung infection and pneumonia.
Matt Struhar, Maddio's owner, said he knew his team needed to do something to help.
“Both of her parents had to quit work so they could be bedside with her at Children’s,” he said.
***PLEASE SHARE*** It's that time of year again! Operation Santa Clause kicks off Monday, December 12 and runs through Friday, December 23. Please don't delay to schedule your Santa Visit! Time slots will fill quickly this year and there are only so many. As in years past, we simply ask that you place a food order and add $10 for a donation to a family in need. Santa will visit at the designated time, singing Jingle Bells, taking pictures with the little ones, and reminding them to be good for Mom & Dad as the countdown to Christmas quickly approaches! This year we have chose a very special little girl. Her name is Sydney Brison, and is the daughter of John and Angela Brison of Ford Cliff. Sydney was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009 at the young age of 3. She has battled with it 3 times in the past 7 years. Sydney is a Vibrant little 10 year old girl, full of Positive Energy which can only be proven through her never-ending infectious smile! Sydney received a Bone Marrow Transplant in 2015 which was successful. However, some side effects still remain as Doctors don't have all the answers. Early in November of this year, Sydney developed a Lung Infection and Pneumonia. This Little Angel has been in the ICU at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh since then. Her Parents were both forced to quit their jobs in order to spend every single moment possible with their baby. This has placed a huge financial burden on them. It is our Hope that you will open your hearts this year to Sydney and her family. We will also have a Donation Jar at Maddio's Pizza for contributions. We are also having a Blanket Drive for all of the kids at Children's Hospital. Deadline for Blankets is December 19. Please make sure it is a new Blanket if you plan on donating. Once Again, We Thank You all for Supporting this worthy cause! May God Bless each and every one of you and We Wish You All A Very Merry Christmas!
Posted by Maddio's Pizza and Subs on Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Struhar said Wednesday night he learned that someone was taking advantage of his efforts to raise money for Sydney’s family. He said a customer alerted him to someone going door-to-door claiming he worked at Maddio's and was collecting money for Sydney.
“They asked for ID. He couldn't provide any. They asked him to wait a minute (and said) they were going to go get some money when in all actuality, they were going to get a camera to take a picture of him,” Struhar said.
Struhar said only he collects the money in person. A donation jar also sits on the counter at the shop and customers have the option to add a donation when placing an order.
“It hurt me very badly that someone was using my name and our pizza shop, which we do so much, to go around and collect money for themselves,” Struhar said.
He said while Sydney continues her fight in the hospital, he hopes that the scammer hasn’t perturbed people from donating.
“I'm hoping didn't spread too far, and I don't want it to give us a bad name and ruin fundraising efforts for our family,” Struhar said.
Police did not reveal any details about a possible suspect, but said they are investigating.
Cox Media Group
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