GRANTS, N.M. - On Thursday, February 11, Pizza 9-Grants and all other Pizza 9 locations hosted a fundraiser event for the family of Officer Darian Jarrott. The New Mexico State Police officer was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop recently on Interstate 10, near Deming, New Mexico.
The fundraiser was set to last from opening to closing time, and dining options included delivery, drive-thru, and outdoor dining. One hundred percent of the profits for that day were donated to Officer Jarrott’s family “in partnership with the New Mexico State Police Assoc. Foundation,” according to the online flyer.
From the time the fundraiser was announced until Feb. 11, the Pizza 9-Grants and Cibola Community Facebook pages were flooded with support for the event. Community members immediate comments included, “That’s awesome. I’m there” and “I know what we’re eating tomorrow” and much more.
The community response was so great on the day of the fundraiser that Pizza 9 actually “had to stop taking orders at 6:30 p.m. in order to catch up on existing orders,” according to the Pizza 9-Grants owner.
“The community support for Officer Jarrott’s fundraiser was overwhelming! Exceeded all expectations. We collected over $10,000 for Jarrott’s family. Without [General Manager] Christy [Guy], the hardworking staff, the volunteers that came in, and the community support, this would not have been as successful as it was,” commented ET III LLC.
The family-owned business staff is grateful for patrons’ patience and the community’s support; they added that Pizza 9-Grants is always willing to help groups or organizations with fundraising events.