A 12-year-old boy named Danny Doherty from Norwood, Massachusetts, started an ice cream stand with his mother, Nancy Doherty, to pass the time during summer vacation. They decided to donate half of the proceeds to a charity, the Boston Bears Club, which is a special education hockey team that Danny’s autistic brother, Patrick, is a part of. The stand, named “Tree Street Treats,” offered flavors like vanilla, shaved chocolate, cannoli, and New England fluffernutter. Danny created a logo for the business and even started an Instagram account to promote the sales to family and friends. In the first week of operation, they raised $124, with $62 going to the Boston Bears Club.
However, their ice cream stand was shut down by town officials after a neighbor complained about them selling homemade ice cream, citing a violation of the Massachusetts Food Code. Despite feeling disappointed by the situation, Nancy Doherty decided to give away the remaining ice cream to friends and family while accepting donations for the Boston Bears Club. The support was overwhelming, with the Dohertys raising about $1,000 in donations in just 10 minutes. The head coach of the hockey team confirmed that the stand had received more than 200 donations totaling $7,500. Three local ice cream shops even reached out to offer fundraisers, raising awareness for the Boston Bears Club.
Nancy Doherty mentioned that she did not have the bandwidth to fight back against the town’s decision, as she is a solo parent with a full-time job and limited energy. Despite the lack of communication from the Town of Norwood Board of Health since receiving the letter, the Dohertys remained positive and focused on the outpouring of support for the charity. The incident, although initially discouraging, turned into a heartwarming display of community unity and generosity. The Dohertys saw the situation as an opportunity to create something positive out of adversity and were grateful for the overwhelming response from their community.
While the abrupt shutdown of their ice cream stand was disappointing, the Dohertys chose to focus on the positive impact they were able to make for the Boston Bears Club through their fundraiser. The support they received from friends, family, and the community far outweighed the initial setback caused by the complaint from a neighbor. Despite not having the time or energy to challenge the town’s decision, Nancy Doherty expressed gratitude for the support and donations that came pouring in after the incident. The success of their fundraiser highlighted the power of coming together as a community to support a worthy cause.
Overall, the story of Danny Doherty’s ice cream stand being shut down due to a food code violation showcases the resilience and generosity of the community in Norwood, Massachusetts. The Dohertys turned a negative situation into a positive outcome by raising awareness and funds for the Boston Bears Club, a charity close to their hearts. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, they remained focused on the bigger picture and the impact they were able to make through their fundraising efforts. The support they received from the community was a testament to the power of coming together to support a meaningful cause and to turn adversity into an opportunity for positive change.
