Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have been around now for more than 40 years, and throughout that time they’ve raised over $8.5 billion for 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S.
Raising funds has come in all shapes and sizes, too, and here in Tucson, it’s in the form of heart-shaped pizzas.
In February 2024, Peter Piper Pizza, which was founded in Glendale, Arizona in 1973, is teaming up with Tucson Medical Center’s TMC For Children. So, all month long, if you order one of Peter Piper’s heart-shaped pizzas ($19.98 each) they’ll donate $1 to TMC For Children.
It’s an uplifting, double-whammy type of situation because not only are you eating a pizza that’s uniquely shaped, but you’re also giving back to the local hospital that strives to make children’s lives better.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Peter Piper Pizza to our group of corporate partners working to support our mission,” said Aimee J. Daily, Ph.D., president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The fundraiser is for 12 Tucson-area Tucson Medical Center locations and also stretches to Phoenix, Yuma, and other cities in New Mexico and Texas — all of which provide for children’s developmental advances.
“The upcoming campaign, where Peter Piper Pizza will generously donate $1 for every heart-shaped pizza purchased to local member hospitals, exemplifies the kind of impactful collaboration that makes a difference to change kids’ health,” Daily added.
Complete list of participating Peter Piper Pizza locations and hospitals that will benefit from the donation:
- Phoenix (29 area locations) – Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- Tucson (12 area locations) – Tucson Medical Center
- Yuma (one area location) – Rady Children’s Hospital
- Albuquerque (five area locations) – UNM Children’s Hospital
- El Paso (16 area locations) – El Paso Children’s Hospital Foundation
- San Antonio (15 area locations) – CHRISTUS Children’s
- Corpus Christi (13 area locations) – Driscoll Children’s Hospital
- Waco-Temple-Bryan (one area location) – Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center
- Dallas (one area location) – Children’s Health
- Fort Worth (one area location) – Cook Children’s Medical Center
- Houston (two area locations) – Texas Children’s Hospital
“Partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals supports Peter Piper Pizza’s direct mission to raise funds for children’s development and education,” said Genaro Perez, Peter Piper Pizza’s Chief Marketing Officer. “The donation possibilities are endless, and we invite guests to order a heart-shaped pizza this month to show some love and help us raise funds for the greatest needs of each local children’s hospital.”
To keep the love going, Peter Piper Pizza is also giving away the EPIC birthday party package to three hospital patients with February birthdays, allowing them to take a mental break from treatment and enjoy their birthday celebration with friends and family.
The party package (valued at more than $200) includes pizza, breadsticks, Birthday Crunch Dessert, and 60 minutes of unlimited play for the birthday kid and up to eight guests.
Heart-shaped pizzas are available at Peter Piper Pizza for dine-in, carryout, or delivery. To order and find a nearby location, go to peterpiperpizza.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
