Local Pizzerias Donating $1 of Every Pie Sold to Toppen Family

Two Orland Park businesses are turning their pizza creations into dough-nations for the family of a fallen soldier from Mokena. 

Wooden Paddle Pizza, 11128 W. 179th St., will donate $1 of every pizza sold this week to the family of PFC Aaron Toppen, a 19-year-old Mokena native killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan earlier this month. 

Wooden Paddle joins Pronto Pizza Kitchen, 15222 S. LaGrange Rd., in the fundraising effort.

"Help us both as we honor local hero Aaron Toppen and raise money for a very deserving family," Wooden Paddle owners Jon and Brianna wrote on their Facebook page. 

Visitation for Toppen will be held Monday, June 23 from 1 to 9 p.m. at Parkview Christian Church, 11100 Orland Parkway, Orland Park. Funeral will be held Tuesday, June 24 at 10 a.m., at Parkview. Family and friends ask for privacy from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., when the doors will open to the public. 

Are you a local business collecting for the Toppen family? Email lauren.traut@patch.com and let us know.

Read more about the impact of Toppen's death on the community:

• Southland Welcomes Home Fallen Soldier Aaron Toppen
• Mokena's Fallen Soldier's Rank Upgraded Posthumously
• Grab a Yellow Ribbon, Help Line Fallen Soldier's Route Home
• In Memory of Aaron: Community Asked to Display Yellow Ribbons in Honor of the Fallen Soldier