BIDDEFORD, Maine — For the next three days, each time people buy a pizza from Pizza by Alex in Biddeford, they're helping the local business raise money for the state's only children's hospital.
Pizza by Alex is donating one dollar for every pizza they sell from Monday, October 14 to Wednesday to the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital.
The money raised goes towards helping the hospital enhance patient care, purchase pediatric medical equipment, and provides financial support for the hospital's various specialized programs.
Assistant Manager Kevin Brennan, who came up with the idea, has participated in several fundraisers to raise money for MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital over the last 10 years.
Brennan started working at Pizza by Alex in 2021. Just two months into the job, he came up with the idea to raise money for the children's hospital.
"I would never expect to be having a three-day fundraiser at Pizza by Alex if I hadn't worked here," Brennan said. "I think it's important for the children to have a good comfortable stay at the hospital, and any money that goes to them is what we're really working for."
Brennan said in 2021, they held the same fundraiser for one day, raising nearly $700 for the hospital. After taking a two-year break, he said they're happy to bring the idea back.
The fundraiser's return is also something the children's hospital's philanthropy specialist Meaghan McNamara said she is happy to see.
"Those dollars all add up, and that's what I love. Together, collectively, we all make a big difference in the lives of these patients and in the care that we're able to provide at the children's hospital," McNamara said.
She explained that the hospital has several fundraising efforts that all help the hospital invest in patient care.
"These fundraisers are important because they're helping us provide things that the regular operating budget of a hospital wouldn't necessarily allow," she said. "So, that's supporting things like patient care, equipment, research, education, both for our staff and the community."
Brennan said they're hoping to sell out each day for the next three days, making a commitment to make an additional donation to the hospital for every day that they sell out.
"We knew this would be a big help for the community, and we wanted to be a big part of it," Pizza by Alex General Manager Craig Cote said.
Cote said people can make in-person orders at 93 Alfred St. in Biddeford or make phone orders by calling 207-283-0002 until end of business day Wednesday to contribute to the cause. The business closes at 9 p.m.