There are so many ways one can lend a hand to less-fortunate people — all it takes is a little creativity, and a whole lot of heart. Just like this Buffalo resident.
Known in his community as “The Ice Creamcycle Dude”, entrepreneur James Karagiannis is warming hearts everywhere by keeping kids around his neighborhood cool.
The Northeastern University, Boston alum started his business of cycling through the city, selling ice cream pops for $1, back in 2007. Instead of taking his business to middle-class neighborhoods, James chooses to serve the less privileged kids in the so-called “harsh” parts of town.
“We’re driving through inner-city neighborhoods,” said the 36-year-old.
“When I first started, everyone said I should go to Elmwood Avenue, Thursday in the Square, Delaware Park. But I needed to be right here,” he said during a stop at a street corner in Central Park. “I like bikes. I like joking with the kids and exploring my city.”
Today, nearly a decade later, he still has a heavy heart whenever he encounters a kid who can’t even afford a dollar for the frozen treat.
So James always makes sure that he and his crew keep a stash of freebies to give away to underprivileged kids on their routes.
But there’s one catch: they have to answer a math or history question correctly.
When other customers learned about his method, people began to pitch in donations of $5 and $10. With so many people donating for the kids, James came up with another idea: “If they want a free ice cream, they’d have to write a thank-you note,” he said.
These handwritten notes later turned into postcards designed by Ezekiel Miner, a freshman at Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
One such donor, Christine Lo, posted on James’ Facebook page, saying, “Getting this in the mail kind of made up for a not-great morning today.”
“Love the Ice Creamcycle dude’s commitment to the kids he serves,” she added. “I’m looking forward to getting more cards and seeing who got the ice cream from the rest of my donation. Win-win.”
The popularity of James’ idea blew up so fast that he decided to start a “Pay It Forward” campaign online to allow people to buy ice cream for deserving children.
And his campaign is growing… fast.
“I thought maybe $400 to $500 max,” he said. But the figures are now at $6,000 and climbing. “It’s crazy. People add comments when they make their donation online. I really didn’t think it would make such an impression. Expats thank me for taking care of their hometown.”
James may not be earning a lot of money off this business, but he is rich in love.
“So many people have a desire to help these kids,” said Rex Herzberg, one of the Ice Creamcycles drivers. “This is giving them a way to do it. It exploded more than I thought it would.”
