The neighborhood lemonade stand is usually a child’s first introduction to the business world. You have to manage your staff, your supply, your recipe, your marketing, and your profit margins. It’s a lot for an 8-year-old to handle. We took the idea of a lemonade stand and turned it into a question for our adult reader-writers. We asked, if they could open an ice cream stand in their neighborhood to support a charity, which charity they would support, which ice cream they would sell, and how they would market their stand. Michele P. of Abington, MD took some time to tell us all about her ice cream stand with today’s entry.
What better way to raise money for a charity — any charity — than by selling ice cream?
My charity of choice would have to be the American Cancer Society. I want to see an end to cancer during my lifetime and I think the ACS helps deliver the hope that future generations will not have to endure cancer taking the lives of our friends and family.
My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and with the help of my brother, we became his caregivers. Even in the final weeks, in my dad’s most painful, weakest moments, the one thing that made him perk up was when we asked if he wanted some ice cream. He would eat it by the bowl full or have us turn it into a thick milk shake. I was making several trips a week to the store to pick up multiple half gallons, in various favors, of Turkey Hill Ice Cream. He loved them all and always tried to guess what the flavor of the day would be (but his favorite was always French Vanilla). I can still hear him saying “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream” when we would bring in his tray. Ice cream just makes people happy, puts a smile on their face, conjures up fond memories of the past.
This year the American Cancer Society’s message is to “create a world with more birthdays.” What better way to celebrate than with ice cream!!! Who doesn’t like a good party? I would promote my stand to resemble a big birthday bash — balloons, streamers, a big blow up cake and of course plenty of Turkey Hill Ice Cream. I would definitely have the first flavor be “Bill’s Vanilla” in honor of my dad. Then I would select Classic Chocolate (who doesn’t love either chocolate or vanilla), Strawberries & Cream (you could scoop with the vanilla to create pink and white ribbon effect like the cancer ribbons), Mango Duetto Gelati (again the ribbon effect) and what party would be complete without Party Cake ice cream?
If we can make a difference by fighting against a disease that has already taken so much….. what better way than one delicious, creamy scoop at a time ?
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If you’ve got a technical question about the ice cream making process or some other inquiry about the nuances of America’s favorite treat, chances are Ernie has the answer. He might not be able to answer all questions, but he’ll try his best and some may be featured on the Ice Cream Journal.
I’ve seen the pink breast cancer ribbons on lots of things, but I don’t recall seeing them on ice cream.
i agree this is a great way to try and deal with it
Michele P has picked an excellent charity. I am sure when word got around about a Turkey Hill ice cream stand in her neighborhood she would be flooded with business. And even more so when they knew it was to support the American Cancer Society.
A very touching story and this is a great way to raise money and awareness. Besides ice cream, she could handout pamplets. Since his cancer was stage 4 when diagnosed, it may have been eradicted if found earlier. Early diagnosis is the key and she could be pushing awareness with her icecream stand.
A TOUCHING STORY TO SAY THE LEAST. WHEN SOMEONE IS IN MICHELES’ FATHERS POSITION AND YOU SEE THEM WANT TO EAT SOMETHING IT MAKES ONE FEEL GOOD. ICE CREAM IS A GOOD CHOICE AND MAKES EVERYONE FEEL BETTER.
Great story Michele. I applaud you for wanting to donate to the American Cancer Society. I hope I live to see a cure for this disease so many more folks can live to have many, many more birthdays and celebrate with Turkey Hill Ice Cream.
This is the charity I would have chosen also. I lost my mother (56) to cancer a brother (56)to cancer and just recently 2 other brothers, I was also their caregiver for the last 12 yrs. My sister lost her husband to cancer 2 yrs. ago. The day before each of them passed on the last thing they wanted was ice cream. I alway had lots of ice cream in the freezer thanks to TH and sending me coupons I could stock up really well and I still do. There isn’t a day that goes by the I don’t eat some TH, love it. TH is the best. Linda
Chilling, my mother died of a blood disease at age 56. My husband and I donated money for research. Also been doing the same for Parkinsen’s Disease which killed my father-in-law.
I agree and the sooner the better.
I think this is a very inovative idea..a special icecream to commemorate cancer awareness..perhaps something like strawberries or cherries in vanills icecream..Good Idea!
I would open a stand for The Empire State Games for the Pysically Challenged.My wife and I have been Coordinators for the past 26 years.It’s wonderful and fulilling to see these kids come out of their shells when they see they can compete in track & field, swimming, basketball and other sports.I know it’s not Cancer or ASL but when u see these kids partcipate with all their disabilities u really fell you’ve done something.
Any charitable organization would be a win-win idea!
if i opened a ice cream stand the money would go to the food bank for seaford de we have a lot of people using it right now and always need more can goods thanks
any charity would be great
I would love to support this cause. Especially if I got to go to a stand where I felt like I was at a birthday celebration. The streamers and balloons would just lighten my mood and make me happy. Also, because ice cream is a daily product with a lot of dairy, and dairy helps reduce the risk of colon cancer, you are also fighting cancer just by eating it. Also, an interesting find I came across with a little research, was that in New Zealand, researchers at the University of Auckland are creating a “medical dessert” which has shown encouraging signs in combating the side-effects of chemotherapy in individuals with cancer. The ice cream, called ReCharge, uses active ingredients from dairy products to relieve diarrhoea, anaemia and lack of appetite in people undergoing chemotherapy. 2 million dollars was invested to develop this ice cream, and it is being tested on participants now.
A very thoughtfully written piece.
I love your ice cream!
Sorry about your father.
A wonderful artical. Thank you.
I would pass on that for the good of the country. As soon as I would be stocked up with my TH and put up the open sign half then US would fall under a blackout. I would then have to give the TH away before it melts. Back in 1065 hubby was ready to propose marriage and bought the ring. He did not make it to my home that night since he was stuck in the NYC subway for the first blackout and eventually had to walk 20 miles home.
What a Great idea, I would love to support the Cancer Society too!
save a life buy a cone!!!!!
Let’s do it!!! Let’s get the icecream stand going!!! My mother passed away from cancer as did many of my other relatives!!! Let’s get the birthday party started!!! I’m an icecreamaholic and thank Michele for her wonderful well thought out fundraising idea!!!
Great idea Michele!
Profits to PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network) – a cancer that’s greatly underfunded. In memory of my cool Mom – LOVE YOU, MISS YOU LOTS, MOM.
Great idea Michele! My father also died of cancer and that’s the first thing that came to mind.
This is exactly what a family did in my township recently. They started a charity in memory of their young daughter that died. Just last week they opened an ice cream shop with the help of an ice cream manufacturer and all the proceeds over and above the rent and utilities will go to the charity. The family and friends are all volunteering to work so there are no salaries to be paid.
Wow a very heart touching story. What a wonderful way to honor the one you love. Great Charity. It’s a beautiful thing to have someone want to eat at a time such as this. I’m glad Turkey Hill was able to bring a smile to your Father’s face and also to your family. God Bless You and Yours. Once again, Turkey Hill to the rescue.
For those of you struggling with a friend or family member going through chemo, try softened Duetto on the days they struugle to eat. I have had a couple of friends that the 1st 3 days after chemo or radiation literally survived on Duetto. Thanks Turkey Hill!
This was a touching article and shows how the personal lives of people are made a little better because of the joys Turkey Hill Ice Cream provides.
I just wanted to say Thank You to each of you who posted a comment about my blog entry. I actually sat here with tears as I read them. It made me smile remembering my Dad!! For the past 8 years, Ive had the priviledg to be part of ACS Relay for Life. If you have never experienced this amazing 24 hr event, please try to. Its an emotional and inspirational night of togetherness and hope. Carol Y, I agree with you, any charity would be great to support, whether its the Empire State for challenged children, ASL, Parkinsons or ACS. I loved Artemis’ slogan of \Save a life buy a cone\– hope you dont mind if I consider using this for next years fundraiser! Even though its been 5 years since I lost my dad, the missing him hasnt gone away. But thanks to TH, when I eat ice cream, I cant help but think about my dad and it always makes me smile! Thanks again everyone for your endearing comments and making my day.
Michele, I’m with you. I’d help the ACS too. I bet every family on earth has been affected by this terrible disease. It doesn’t matter what flavor ice cream you serve just have plenty to go around. MMMMMMM good job Michele. Have a wonderful day.
Good ideas for decorating the icecream stand. Icecream in the form of milkshakes is sometimes easy for someone that is sick to swallow. I HOWEVER would need to pick a DIFFERENT charity to give to. My Dad also died of cancer but there has been so much money donated by many to this charity why after ALL these years can we get NO further with a cure????
Great article, sorry for you loss.
I agree cancer is a dreadful disease, lost a sister and her husband to it, but right now am pledging to the arthritis fund, I have a daughter on intervenus for RA and I have it also, plus other family members. Pain all the time. Wish a cure for stoppage of spreading could be found.
As a survivor, I agree with Michelle! My sister-in-law, nephew and brother are also survivors, so anything I can do to give other families this kind of outcome would be well worth the effort.
Ice cream seems to lift the spirits of all. When my dearly beloved mother was still with me, we would always have ice cream together.
God Bless you for all you do–God Bless the USA
@CindaF- There are so many charities and causes that need money. I wish I were a billionaire just so that I could give money away… unfortunately thats not close to being the case so I try to donate my time as much as possible. I agree with you that alot of money is given for cancer research but when you look at the vast number of types of cancers that are out there, its really not an enormous amount. I use to think the same thing until I did some research on my own and was amazed at how many different types there are. And within one kind there are numerous others. As far as finding a cure– wouldnt it be great to make cancer just go away– all illnesses for that matter. ACS and many other orgs. for cancer have made giant strides in finding cures and preventions… and they are working. Survival rates for breast cancer alone have skyrocketed from the 60′s 70′s to today. As much as I detest the C word for what its taken from me and made others suffer through, dont give up– dont give up the hope that our future families will only read about cancer in a history book… dont give up hope… a world without hope is a world without survivors and cures.
Selling ice cream to raise money for a cure for cancer could possibly work. Everyone just loves ice cream.
To All who responded to Michelle’s blog:
Michelle has been doing the Relay For Life Cancer Walk for 7 years now – and as the captain of the team she walks with – Fantastic WAMMS (Walkers Against Multiple Myeloma) she has worked and believed in what she is doing with her whole heart and soul. I know if she opened that stand – and she just may do that for our 2011 Relay – that it would be a sellout every day. Of course if the team participated, we may wind up eating the merchandise.
To all of you who have special charties that are close to your heart – we wish the best to everyone who works in any way to help in finding a way to wipe out any and all diseases. If every person spent just one dollar and one hour volunteering for their favorite charity just imagine the money raised and the work accomplished.
My prayer everyday of my life – as a cancer survivor – is that one day there will be less diseases, no one going hungry in this world and children learning from their parents that to help another person or cause is the greatest gift you will ever give to anyone. My 7 year old granddaughter knows what the Cancer Relay is for and she is so proud to wear the t-shirts and walk the track. She knows that there is a lot of illness in this world, not only from her Mom and family, but through school and everyday life and she will tell you….we are going to make all this go away. What greater gift is there?
Godd luck to all of you no matter what your cause and God Bless.
What a great, very touching, story. So sorry for your loss. I know how painful it is to lose a parent. Love your idea for the ice cream stand.
every community should do this at least once, in Philly we had an all you can eat ice cream event during the 4th of July weekend; it was great. and all the proceeds went to charity.
Michelle,
You have a wonderful spirit ..and soul! Blessings to you and your family! The simple joys..enjoying ice cream with friends and family are what makes our times together meaningful. Eyes twinkle with delight , our childhood memories are remembered and we enjoy life in the moment..together and in total bliss.
Susan
Iphone pas cher…
Woh I enjoy your posts , saved to fav! ….