Pizza With A Purpose

California Pizza Kitchen’s fundraiser honoring design student Nohemi Gonzalez garnered $4,634.53, said Carol Flynn, a spokesperson for CPK. Gonzalez was killed in the Paris terrorist attacks on Nov. 13, 2015 while studying abroad.

At the family’s request, the funds are going toward “a university approved fund” that will be devoted to subsidizing CSULB’s design department shops and renaming the lower division shop after Gonzalez, the department said in a statement.

“I’m feeling gratitude that California Pizza Kitchen worked with us,” said Design Department Chair Martin Herman. “My hat’s off to Carol for being so open and responsive, along with everyone else at CPK, for the effort they put into this.”

CPK customers who presented the event’s flier to their server had 20 percent of their check donated to the fundraiser. More than 18 different CPK locations in Southern California, including Long Beach, held the event all day on Jan. 25 and 26.

Martin said he went to the event on both of the days at a Long Beach location, and he noticed that CSULB students and faculty “filled” CPK in both instances.

The idea for the fundraiser was hatched by Dennis Dyck, CPK’s brand ambassador and a CSULB alumnus..

“I’ve been with California Pizza Kitchen since 2012 and ever since then I’ve become a trainer and the Community Brand Ambassador for the Long Beach location,” Dyck said. “This means that some of my responsibilities include getting involved with the community and really reaching out to see where we can help/make a difference.”

Dyck said he wanted to help Gonzalez’s family out after hearing about her death, but did not want to impose on her family too soon. Nevertheless, he wanted to make sure that they knew CPK was available as “a source of help.”

“I was so overwhelmed with the amount of support and love shown by not only my company, but by the staff of CSULB. We had a very successful event and I really hope that we helped even if it was by showing that we cared and maybe by lightening some of the financial load and stress.”

Written by Ruben Diaz