newportbeachindy . com SEPTEMBER 15 , 2023 9
Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s Pizza Joins Forces with Julian ’ s LEGO Corner for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
By Christopher Trela | NB Indy
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month , and Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s is once again teaming up with Julian ’ s LEGO Corner to raise funds and collect LEGO sets for patients at Children ’ s Hospital of Orange County ( CHOC ).
Created in memory of CHOC patient Julian Dunn , Julian ’ s LEGO Corner provides a creative outlet for children and teens undergoing treatment for serious illnesses or injuries at CHOC .
More than $ 150,000 has been raised for the unique project through partnerships with Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s and other generous donors since its start in 2013 .
This month , people can contribute through the gift of a new LEGO set , make a cash donation , or purchase select menu items at Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s Newport Beach , Aliso Viejo , and Irvine locations . All proceeds from Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s “ Pizza of the Month ” ( Grandpa ’ s Pie ) and all house-made desserts will directly support Julian ’ s LEGO Corner .
“ All of us at Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s are proud to support Julian ’ s LEGO Corner and CHOC during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month ,” said Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s Pizza Store co-owner Jeff
Roberts . “ We are grateful and very humbled to stand beside Julian ’ s parents , Andrea and Rich Dunn . What started as a lemonade stand by our kids , has grown to become very near to our hearts .” Yes , a lemonade stand . Julian Dunn and Jeff ’ s daughter Lauren attended Mariners Elementary School together . When Julian was diagnosed with brain cancer in kindergarten , five-year-old Lauren opened a lemonade stand in support of Julian , eventually raising more than $ 1,500 .
Lauren continued to host lemonade stands growing up , and later founded Sweet Things for a Sweet Cause , a collection of desserts benefiting Julian ’ s LEGO Corner .
This year , Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s aims to raise more than $ 65,000 and collect hundreds of LEGO sets . They hope to exceed last year ’ s record-breaking donation of $ 55,000 and 125 LEGO kits .
“ Julian loved building LEGO sets during the many hours and days he spent in the hospital ,” said his mother , Andrea Dunn . “ Through Julian ’ s LEGO Corner , we can provide LEGO sets to children who are going through hospital treatment for serious and chronic medical conditions , giving them the opportunity to pass the time in a stimulating and creative way .”
Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s presents a check for $ 45,000 to CHOC and Julian ’ s Lego Corner in 2022 .
Julian Dunn with his LEGOS in 2012 . Photo courtesy the Dunn family .
For more information about Sgt . Pepperoni ’ s , visit www . SgtPepps . com .
For more information about Julian ’ s Lego Corner , visit https :// www . choc . org / programs-services / child-life / julians-lego-corner .
Rich and Andrea Dunn with a photo of their son Julian .
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