Local Pizza Chain Donates Proceeds to Help Bryan Stow

, a local pizza chain with a restaurant in downtown San Mateo, is contributing to a support fund for Bryan Stow, the Santa Cruz man who was brutally attacked and beaten during a Giants vs. Dodgers game last week.

Any patrons eating at Pizza My Heart today should mention Bryan Stow during their purchase – and expect 30 percent of the proceeds to go towards a fund dedicated to helping the 42-year-old paramedic.

Stow, a father of two, is currently in a coma and in critical condition after two men set upon him unprovoked and kicked him repeatedly in a Dodger Stadium parking lot following Thursday's season opener.

The Pizza My Heart chain, which started in Capitola, has 19 branches throughout the Bay Area. According to owner Chuck Hammers, Stow frequented the San Jose location and was well known there.

“Our entire staff knew him, and when they saw his picture on the news, they said, ‘That’s our boy!’” Hammers said.

Because of that, “This fundraiser was a no-brainer for us,” Hammers said. “EMTs are putting their lives on the line everyday, so the least we can do is help him in return.”

He said the fundraiser was originally planned for just the Santa Clara County locations during the afternoon, but the response was so positive that Hammers decided to extend it to all restaurant locations.

Pizza My Heart in San Mateo is located at 140 E. 4th Ave. Call 650-344-9800 for more information.

To donate directly to the Bryan Stow fund, visit www.cuswirl.com/how-to-donate-fundraiser-for-paramedic-bryan-stow, or donate via PayPal using the account stowdonations@gmail.com. For more information, go to support4stow.blogspot.com.

Meanwhile, outrage both in the Bay Area and Los Angeles over the senseless attack has brought condemnation from city and county leaders and the owners of both ball clubs. A reward for information leading to the arrest of the two attackers is currently up to $100,000.

Police say Stow was walking with three friends when two men in Dodgers gear approached him from behind at about 8:25 p.m. Thursday. The men first taunted Stow, who was wearing Giants gear, then hit him from behind, which caused him to fall to the ground, where he was then kicked repeatedly in the head and body.

Stow's friends, who were also wearing Giants clothing and are from the Bay Area, tried to intervene and were also attacked. They suffered minor injuries.

Police have released sketches of the two assailants, described as bald men with tattoos between the ages of 18 and 25. Anyone with information about the attack is urged to call Los Angeles police at (877) 527-3247.

-- Stacie Chan and Bay City News contributed to this report.