Village Idiot announces “Pizza for Preemies” for Prematurity Awareness Month

Local Five Points businesses partner with Village Idiot Owners to support March of Dimes

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and the Five Points Association and its roster of businesses are banding together to support Village Idiot Pizza owners Brian and Kelly Glynn —parents to 1-year-old twins Liam and Willow born at just 28 weeks — and March of Dimes, a nonprofit leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies. To raise awareness for this important cause, an official ceremony will be held on Friday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. where the iconic Five Points fountain will be dyed purple and a minimum of 20 percent of total November sales from all three Village Idiot Pizza locations will be donated to March of Dimes as part of their “Pizza for Preemies” campaign.

At just 27 weeks pregnant at a routine appointment, Kelly Glynn was told she may have to deliver twins due to a serious condition called preeclampsia (extreme high blood pressure). She was admitted to the hospital and spent five days in labor and delivery. On the morning of day five, she was wheeled into emergency surgery where she was told that the preeclampsia was an imminent threat and the only chance for all three to survive was to deliver immediately. After 71 days in the NICU — 71 days of walking into the unknown each and every day — Kelly and Brian Glynn finally took their micro-preemie babies home.

“We celebrate November 6th, the day we finally got to bring our babies home from what can only be described as the most challenging 71 days I hope to ever experience,” says Kelly Glynn. “I am able to share an incredible story of two very strong survivors, Liam Aaron born 2lbs 9oz and Willow Mae, 1lb 11oz.”

In an effort to support their close comrades, enhance the mission of March of Dimes and spread awareness of Prematurity Awareness Month, local enterprises in the Five Points neighborhood are also taking part. Good for the Sole and Revente are taking donations all month and donating 20% of their November 15 sales. Cycle Center, 2G’s, Papa Jazz and Loose Lucy’s will be collecting donations all month in their locations. Other contributors are Yesterday’s, the Gourmet Shop and Goat’s.

“We are not just a group of businesses. We support one another, in every way possible. We are a family,” says Amy Beth Franks, executive director of the Five Points Association.

According to March of Dimes, 15 million babies are affected by preterm birth each year around the world and the preterm birth rate in the United States is on the rise for the third year in a row, a trend signaling an urgent health crisis for moms and babies.

“We are grateful to be able to share our story of premature birth and we celebrate two thriving 14-month-old babies,” says Brian Glynn. “Every baby deserves the best possible start. We want to thank March of Dimes for their important work, the local Five Points community for their support and each and every individual who has helped us in our journey”

About Village Idiot Pizza

Village Idiot Pizza is an independently owned restaurant and pub in Columbia, S.C. with three locations and a rich history of serving up hand-tossed New York-style pizza, wings, beer and other Italian-American delights to college students, sports enthusiasts, pizza lovers, locals and visitors and more for nearly three decades. A fixture in the Five Points district, the original pizza establishment, “the Idiot,” is one of the longest-standing businesses in the area and has had a measurable impact on the Five Points district since 1990. With the additions of locations in Forest Acres and Olympia over the last 10 years, the restaurant, which offers dine-in, pick-up or delivery service with online ordering, has broadened its reach to provide the high-quality, handcrafted menu items for which it is known and respected. Owners Kelly and Brian Glynn actively engage with community events and volunteer their efforts to help build Columbia’s non- profit culture and restaurant scene. Learn more and order online at http://www.villageidiotpizza.com.

Website: http://www.villageidiotpizza.com

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.