Unexpected Trouble Unfolds at Charity Ice Cream Stand

What began as a heartwarming mission by a boy running an ice cream stand for charity soon turned into a nightmare with issued death threats and severe online harassment.

At a Glance

12-year-old Danny Doherty started selling ice cream to raise money for his brother’s hockey team.
The stand was shut down by the Norwood Board of Health due to a Massachusetts Food Code violation after a complaint.
The family received severe online harassment, including death threats.
The community rallied, ultimately raising around $20,000 for the hockey team.

Ice Cream Stand for Charity

Danny Doherty, a 12-year-old from Norwood, Mass., began selling homemade ice cream to raise money for his brother’s hockey team, the Boston Bear Cubs, which includes players with physical and developmental disabilities. During the first week, Danny had earned $124, donating half to the team. The stand, named Tree Street Treats, offered flavors like vanilla, shaved chocolate, cannoli, and fluffernutter ice cream.

A complaint led the Norwood Board of Health to shut down the stand, citing a violation of the Massachusetts Food Code. Danny and his family were surprised and upset, particularly since similar ventures, like lemonade stands, are common and usually go unchallenged.

How did a little boy’s charity ice cream stand devolve into death threats? https://t.co/djahoYCENB

— Independent US (@IndyUSA) August 29, 2024

Community Support Rises Amid Controversy

The shutdown didn’t deter Danny. He began giving away the ice cream and accepted donations instead, which significantly boosted community support. On the first day alone, $1,000 was raised. Local businesses also rallied to support the cause, with Furlong’s Candies and Boston radio station WWBX-FM raising $3,600 in a single day for the team.

“Somebody complained. That was the most disappointing part for us was that somebody thought it necessary to complain about a child’s stand,” she said. “It seemed a little, you know, crazy if you ask me.”

12-Year-Old Boy’s Charity Ice Cream Stand Gets Shut Down by Town. Then Community Helps Him Raise $20K https://t.co/G7EukvAt1p

— People (@people) August 28, 2024

Harassment and Threats

The family was not only shocked by the shutdown but also by the severe online harassment that followed. Social media amplified the situation, bringing both cheers and harsh jeers. Town officials received hate mail and death threats over the incident, which they felt was unfairly characterized in the media. Town Manager Tony Mazzucco cited legitimate health concerns due to bacterial contamination from homemade ice cream.

“I was surprised and upset,” he said of the letter that came Aug. 5. “I don’t understand because there are so many lemonade stands and they don’t get shut down.”

Despite the controversy and threats, the community’s response was overwhelmingly positive, with many people inspired by Danny’s actions. About $20,000 was ultimately raised for the Boston Bear Cubs, ensuring financial security for the team for the next decade. John Quill, the team’s director and coach, expressed immense gratitude for the community’s overwhelming support.

A Massachusetts boy whose ice cream stand was shut down has become a minor celebrity after several businesses took up his campaign to raise money for charity. https://t.co/jdk7gVnxMf

— KSL (@KSLcom) August 29, 2024