Buy A Pizza, Save A Cop

Toms River police officers will be waiting on tables, taking orders and serving pizzas on Monday at the Toms River Pizza Hunt on Route 37 East.

Roughly 35 officers have volunteered to participate in the annual event, which helps raise money to purchase Kevlar vests for officers, said Patrolman Andrew Chencharik, who is coordinating the fundraiser.

"We will be in the restaurant," he said. "We will be behind the counter. We will be doing just about everything. We don't make the pizzas, but we do make the breadsticks."

Pizza Hut is donating a portion of the proceeds and the officers are "open to big tips," Chencharik said.

Officers are required to purchase their vests, which generally run between $800 to $1,200, he said.

"They are expensive," he said. "And they have to be replaced every five years."

The event will also feature Buster from the Blue Claws, fire trucks and police cars on display, face painting for kids, a clown and a dunk tank, Chencharik said.

"We have officers in the dunk tank," he said.

Will Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy will take a turn in the dunk tank?

"No, I doubt that," Chencharik said.

The event begins at 4 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m. on Monday, he said.