"I was at the game and my first reaction was, because I had a Giants uniform on, too, was this could have been me. I mean here's a guy with two little kids. This is a disaster," said Chuck Hammers, owner of Pizza My Heart.
Stow is also a Pizza My Heart regular. On Tuesday, regulars, first-timers and even non-pizza eaters came by to donate.
"He's local and we're Giants fans and we wanted to help him out and we just feel really bad about what happened," said customer Lisa Ramirez of San Jose.
"To put somebody into a coma... it's heartbreaking for me," said customer Raechelle Escober of Los Gatos.
For those who know the 42-year-old, this is unreal. Stow is still in critical condition in Southern California with a severe skull fracture.
"It's really going to be a long haul either way," said neurosurgeon Gabriel Zada.
It's a road Stow, who's a paramedic, won't travel alone. His friends and co-workers at American Medical Response won't let him. They packed several Pizza My Heart restaurants.
"It's my third time [here today]. I'm definitely here to represent," said Adrian Ayllon of AMR. "I had my third slice of pizza. So I'm definitely full for pizza, but I'm going to keep on coming until I can't."
There was a similar sentiment everywhere. In Mountain View, delivery orders tripled, and the lunch rush at every restaurant was double the norm.
In the meantime, the Giants will also accept donations for Bryan Stow during this weekend's home opener.
"To know that people who have never met Bryan could care so much about him and his well-being has truly been overwhelming," said John Stow.
Pizza My Heart hopes to raise $20,000.
Fundraiser information:
American Medical Response, the paramedic company Stow works for, is holding a BBQ fundraiser at its headquarters in San Jose on Wednesday. The event, scheduled to take place from noon to 8 p.m., will be held at 1670 Las Plumas Ave. in San Jose.
A website, www.support4stow.blogspot.com, has been set up for people wishing to donate directly to the fund.
The Bryan Stow Fund has been established through the San Francisco Police Credit Union, specifically serving members of the EMS community.
To Donate Online: Go to www.sfpcu.org to place your donation. Please indicate The Bryan Stow Fund. Account # 1377733
To Donate By Mail: Checks should be made out to "The Bryan Stow Fund"
Mail your donation to:
SF Police Credit Union
c/o San Mateo Branch
1495 S. El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94402
