Pizza opening to benefit Dustin's Dream

Michael Burchfiel/Herald-Leader Matt Bookout and Kyle Cook, both members of Pieology’s management in Siloam Springs, stand in front of their new pizza oven. Pieology’s soft opening on Saturday will benefit local charity Dustin’s Dream.
Michael Burchfiel/Herald-Leader Matt Bookout and Kyle Cook, both members of Pieology’s management in Siloam Springs, stand in front of their new pizza oven. Pieology’s soft opening on Saturday will benefit local charity Dustin’s Dream.

A new pizza joint is getting ready to open up in Siloam Springs, and they are looking to do it in a way that makes a positive impact on their new community.

Pieology, a Southern California-based chain, is preparing to open its doors this weekend with a pair of "soft openings," starting with an invite-only opening on Friday. The next day, anyone is invited and all of the proceeds from the day will be donated to area charity Dustin's Dream.

"One of our four pillars is giving back to the community," said Kyle Cook, part of the pizza place's management staff.

The charity event is not expected to be the only one for Siloam Springs' Pieology location, Cook said. The chain encourages stores to hold regular charity events, which usually ends up amounting to two events per month, Cook said.

But unlike the potential future fundraisers, the soft opening on Saturday will be 100 percent in support of Dustin's Dream. Future fundraisers will donate a percentage of profits to a charity, while this weekend's event will donate all of the proceeds to the charity.

"It really seemed like a great cause, really carrying out Dustin's dream of being a missionary doctor," Cook said.

Dustin's Dream is a charity that is carrying out Dustin Chamberlain's dream of becoming a medical missionary by supporting medical clinics in Guatemala, including The Heart of Love Clinic, located in the world's largest garbage dump in Guatemala City. The charity was established after Chamberlain was killed during a home invasion in 2011.

Cook said the charity came to his attention after several prospective employees mentioned the organization when Cook said he was looking for a group to support with the soft opening. Cook also connected with the charity personally because he has a child Dustin's age.

"I didn't even know we were getting a Pieology until last Monday," Deondra Chamberlain, Dustin's mother, said. "I think we were just blessed that they would offer that to us. Can't really turn that down."

The event will take place in two portions. First, there will be a lunch that will last from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The second session will also be on Saturday, a dinner from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pieology is located in the new Shoppes at Siloam Springs development, at 2998 East U.S. Highway 412.

Chamberlain said the event would have giveaways every 30 minutes and may have a race car and driver to celebrate the start of racing season. Some of the foundation members for Dustin's Dream will also be at the event, Chamberlain said.

Pieology is a fast-casual pizza restaurant that allows customers to choose every topping that goes on their pie, similar to Chipotle's burrito making process or Subway's sandwich line. The location in Siloam Springs is the second to open in Arkansas, with another location already in operation in Fayetteville. Pieology currently has no presence in Oklahoma.

General News on 04/19/2017