Pizza at Fortina benefits Make-A-Wish kids

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

In the mood for pizza topped with bacon and meatballs? Or what about chicken cutlet and fries? Or how about fries and pineapple?

They're all part of Fortina's continuing effort to make childrens' dreams come true as part of a partnership with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and the Make-A-Wish Connecticut chapter. Since 2022, the local restaurant chain, with locations in Yonkers, Rye Brook, Armonk and Stamford, has been offering monthly pizza specials created by youngsters dealing with critical illnesses, with a net portion benefitting the Make-A-Wish chapters.

Fortina has teamed with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and the Make-A-Wish Connecticut chapter to have children dealing with critical illnesses create their own pizzas with a net portion benefitting the Make-A-Wish chapters.
Fortina has teamed with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and the Make-A-Wish Connecticut chapter to have children dealing with critical illnesses create their own pizzas with a net portion benefitting the Make-A-Wish chapters.

All pizzas are available for one month only. September features 6-year-old Ellie from Modena with "Ellie's Pizza," made with marinara, parmesan, bacon and meatballs. In October, Mahopac's Olivia, age 10, has created a pie with marinara, basil, chicken cutlet, fries, and onions called "Olivia Salad Pizza."

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In December, you'll find "Loaded Pizza" from 11-year-old White Plains resident Khalinda with marinara, shredded mozzarella, fries, bacon, pineapple, breaded chicken, and basil. And in February, 15-year-old Orianna, from Bronxville, has created "Orianna's Pizza," features marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, roasted peppers and basil.

Other months feature pies from Connecticut kids such as "Eric's Best Mystery Pizza," in November, with marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon; "Reese's Pieces" in January with marinara, shredded mozzarella, fries, chicken cutlet, onions, roasted red peppers, basil and "The Camo-Wamo" in March with ricotta, fresh mozz, garlic confit, bacon, clams and basil.

Fifteen-year-old Orianna, from Bronxville, has created "Orianna's Pizza," features marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, roasted peppers and basil. It will be on on the Fortina menu in February 2024.
Fifteen-year-old Orianna, from Bronxville, has created "Orianna's Pizza," features marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, mushrooms, roasted peppers and basil. It will be on on the Fortina menu in February 2024.

Abraham Almanza, director of marketing and volunteer management for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, said the partnership “provides a unique opportunity for our kids to have a fun activity expanding on their wish experience. It keeps the joy of a wish going and helps them get through their medical journey… it provides much needed hope.”

The Tarrytown-based Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley spans eight counties including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Its mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since its inception in 1986, it has granted wishes to over 3,200 children.

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The foundation is currently working on over 260 pending wishes with the average cash cost of a wish ranging between $7,500 to $10,000. Go to hudson.wish.org for more information or visit hudson.wish.org/fortina.

You can find Fortina locations and hours at fortinapizza.com.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pizzas created by Make-A-Wish kids mean you can eat good, do good