South Bend Chivo's Pizza hosts fundraiser in honor of 25-year-old Theodore "Teddy" Braun

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- This past Friday the South Bend community lost 25-year-old Theodore “Teddy” Braun. He was shot and killed at the American Legion Post 284 on Grant Street.

Many people are mourning this tragic loss, but even in this time of sadness people are coming together to support his family and one another. One of the many ways community members are coming together is through a fundraiser being held Tuesday and Wednesday at Chivo’s Pizza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All of the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the family.

Chivo’s Pizza owner, Tony Padraza, said it’s the least he could do to honor Teddy, since he would occasionally go to the restaurant for his favorite slice of bacon and pepperoni pizza.

“It was devastating you know,” said Chivo’s Pizza owner. He’s a really nice guy, who always when he came in, real respectful, loved the pizza, and just never had a dull or sad moment with the guy.”

Friends from local businesses where Teddy volunteered and worked, along with people who simply wanted to support the cause, gathered to honor Teddy. One of his friends mentioned a teddy bear donation that will take place at his funeral service this week.

“It was just posted on Facebook that if you are attending the service to please bring a teddy bear,” said Kimberly Leonard. We’ll be surrounding those around him during the service and then afterwards they will be donated to Toys for Tots by his family, which is an organization that he sponsored and volunteered for.”  

Close friends of Teddy said he volunteered his time in many ways and made a lasting impact on their lives.

“We all just really miss him,” said Leonard. We really wish this hadn’t happened. But this is our only way we know how to pay it forward to him, is to carry his memory on and keep smiling and keep his memory alive.“

The funeral services will be held for Teddy on Dec. 21. in the Zahoran funeral home. The burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. The viewing will take place this Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.