Tops in Pizza staff were hard at work Wednesday afternoon as the Memorial Avenue eatery, in partnership with Mark Goode Mortgage Man Dominion Lending Centres, was giving away free pizzas to local front-line workers to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic.
By 2:30 this afternoon, Tops in Pizza had already given away 250 three-topping medium pizzas to local police officers, firefighters, paramedics and employees from Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH).
“It’s rewarding to see the community caring about us as much as we have tried to care and show compassion over the last year,” said Natasha Paquin, a medical radiation technologist at OSMH who dropped in for a free pie.
“Things with COVID have been more challenging, so it’s really touching to see local businesses like these showing that we are appreciated.”
Orillia OPP Const. Alex Brancatella says local officers are thrilled to be recognized for their efforts with a tasty meal courtesy of two community-minded local businesses.
“It’s fantastic. We really appreciate this and everything they do for the community. This isn’t the first time they have done something like this,” he said.
“Their sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed and we appreciate their support during this hard time.”
Ken Williams and Grant Geldenhuys, two Orillia OPP officers from the community mobilization unit, stopped by Tops in Pizza on Wednesday afternoon to deliver flowers for the staff as a way to thank them for recognizing the efforts of all front-line emergency response workers.
“These people would take the shirt off their back and give it to you if that’s what you need, that’s the kind of people they are,” Geldenhuys said.
“They have been in the community a very long time, they are very well established, very well-liked, and personally loved by me.”
Co-owner of Tops in Pizza, Christopher Marinakos, says pizza orders were coming from front-line workers non-stop since they opened their doors at 11 this morning. Marinakos expects to give away 400 pizzas by the end of the day.
“It’s very special to have the opportunity to team with Mark Goode to do this today. He approached us with this idea, and it takes a special person to do something like this,” Marinakos said.
“I think he’s doing a great job by starting something that hopefully others in the community will follow.”
Goode, mortgage broker at Mark Goode Mortgage Man Dominion Lending Centres, says it’s "an honour and a privilege" to be able to support local front-line workers.
“I know these people have seen some difficult times during the pandemic, so it’s great for us to be able to give them thanks for what they do,” he said.
Goode was surprised to see how many front-line workers stopped in on Wednesday to enjoy a free pizza.
“We had to go get more stickers for the boxes because we ran out. We have given away more than we expected, which is great. We are happy to be able to give back."
