Fund Raiser for Ortega family

In Industry, the Hacienda Heights Pizza Co. is hosting benefits and has set up a large collection jar for donations, manager Gabby Sanchez said.

"It's nearly full," she said of the jar, adding that there were many 50- and 100-dollar bills inside.

Local firefighters contributed heavily to the donation jar, Sanchez said. One even dropped $200 in the jar.

The pizza parlor, located at 15239 Gale Avenue, Unit A, hosted a benefit Thursday and plans to donate 20 percent of all profits to the Ortega Family fund, Sanchez
Police presence remains stationed on Knollcrest Drive in Covina on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008 where nine members of the Ortega family were allegedly murdered by Bruce Pardo on Christmas Eve of last year. (Watchara Phomicinda SGVN/Staff)
said.

How much money the pizza restaurant has collected was not calculated Friday, she said.

The Hacienda Heights Pizza Co. is planning another event Thursday, Sanchez said, adding that she hopes even more people come.

When the collections are finished, the pizza parlor will write a check to the Ortega Family Fund, Sanchez said.

Donation jars to benefit the Ortega family have also been set up at Covina taverns.

At Katie Jakes Bar and Grill, 750 Teredo Plaza #10, about $100 had been collected in a donation jar Friday, a bartender said. The funds will be sent to the Ortega Family Fund.

Elvie's Inn, 610 Shoppers Lane, is also taking up donations for the family, an employee said, however the amount collected so far was not available.

Both taverns plan to keep their donation jars in place in the coming weeks.

In a symbolic gesture Thursday, the president of the West Covina Rose Float Foundation Frank Scalfaro, carried nine rose vials in his pocket on the float in memory of the nine victims, he said.

The roses will be presented to the victim's family members at 1:30 p.m. Sunday when the float will be displayed at the Eastland Shopping Center in West Covina.

Donations to benefit the Ortega family can be sent directly to the Ortega Family Fund, care of the Law Offices of Scott Nord, 500 N. Brand Blvd., suite 550, Glendale, CA, 91203.

Nord could not be reached by telephone Friday.

Those killed in the slaying have not been officially identified by coroner's officials, however those listed by police as missing since the incident include the ex-wife Sylvia Pardo, the ex-wife of shooter Bruce Pardo, and eight of her family members, ranging in age from 17 to 80.

brian.day@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2718