Behind the Badge
Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches. The quartet of words sounds catchy for sure.
But more importantly, Pizza, Police and Pink Patches is the name of the most recent fundraising campaign organized by the Westminster Police Officers’ Association. Officers, professional staff and police Explorers took over Magic Mike’s Pizza restaurant on Garden Grove Boulevard on Oct. 18, wearing the Westminster Police Department pink shoulder patches officers wear during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Westminster Police Explorer Paul Khong, right, serves pizza to the other Explorers during the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches community gathering at Magic Mike’s Pizza in Westminster.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Magic Mike’s customers could purchase the patches for $10, with the department donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. Customers also purchased pink key tags and pins for $5.
“It’s a great opportunity for the police department to mingle with the public,” Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi said.
Magic Mike’s owner Mike Keating also donated 20 percent of the sales for the time the department was there. The event raised $1,400 between merchandise sales and the portion donated by the restaurant.
“We are here to help (the police) in any way we can,” Keating said. “They are here to protect us.”
Ryan Bradford of Magic Mike’s Pizza slides a pepperoni pizza into the oven during the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches community event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Commander Scott Gump oversaw the event and Kellee Wells, property and evidence technician, was in charge of selling the patches. Sandra McClure, owner of the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop in Westminster, hosted a Cops and Robbins event at her shop earlier in the year and made it a point to show up for the Pizza, Police and Pink Patches event.
“The connection to the community is important,” said McClure, who is a breast cancer survivor.
Westminster resident Jessica Lostaunau and her husband showed up for dinner at Magic Mike’s that day specifically to participate in the fundraiser. Lostaunau also attended the Tip-a-Cop fundraiser for the Special Olympics that was held at Lazy Dog Restaurant with the Westminster Police Department in August.
“They are supporting worthy causes,” Lostaunau said of the police. “Plus, they are great people. It is enjoyable just to talk to them when they are around.”
Diana Nguyen and her 7-year-old daughter, Audry, pick up their pizza during the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches event at Magic Mike’s Pizza in Westminster.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Westminster police officers and Explorers get ready for the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches gathering at Magic Mike’s Pizza.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Westminster Police Chief Darin Lenyi tries his hand in pizza dough tossing during Westminster Police Department’s Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches gathering at Magic Mike’s Pizza. Jack Miller of Magic Mike’s Pizza is behind him.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Caleb Wells, 11, and his sister, Audree, 14, order food during the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches community gathering at Magic Mike’s Pizza in Westminster.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Jack Miller of Magic Mike’s Pizza, right, shows the officers how to toss pizza dough during Westminster Police Department’s Police, and Pink Patches community event. From left, Commander Scott Gump, Chief Darin Lenyi, and Commander Alan Iwashita.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The dinning room fills up at Magic Mike’s Pizza in Westminster during the Pizza, Police, and Pink Patches fundraiser.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Westminster Police Department’s pink patch is worn by officers as part of the Pink Patch Project bringing attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support breast cancer research. The patch is available to the public for a donation.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
