Local community in Norwood, a suburb of Boston raised $20,000 after a 12-year-old’s ice cream stand was shutdown due to a Massachusetts Food Code violation following a complaint.
Danny Doherty, seeking a summer project, began selling homemade ice cream to fundraise for his brother’s hockey team in Norwood. His stand, featuring flavors like vanilla, shaved chocolate, and fluffernutter, quickly drew about 20 customers.A few days later, the Norwood Board of Health closed the stand for a Massachusetts Food Code violation after a complaint. Despite this setback, the community swiftly rallied around Danny, leading to his ice cream selling out in just 10 minutes on the first giveaway day and raising approximately $20,000.
“I was shocked and disappointed,” Danny said about receiving the letter on August 5. “I don’t understand because there are so many lemonade stands, and they don’t get shut down.”
Family shocked by health department’s actions
Nancy Doherty, Danny’s mother, who supported his venture as long as half of the proceeds went to charity, was taken aback by the complaint.
She said that the most disappointing aspect was that someone had complained about a child’s stand. She found it somewhat crazy that someone felt it necessary to make such a complaint.
Instead of giving up, Danny chose to give away the ice cream, accepting donations for the Boston Bear Cubs, a team of players with physical and developmental disabilities, including his autistic brother.
Community comes together to support Danny
Danny’s story became a sensation in Norwood and it lead the community to rally around Danny. On the first day of the giveaway, the ice cream sold out in just 10 minutes and raised $1,000. Local businesses quickly got involved.
Among the most successful fundraisers was one organized by Furlong’s Candies and Boston radio station WWBX-FM, which raised $3,600 on a busy day with lines stretching out the door.
Danny’s fundraising efforts brought in about $20,000 for the Boston Bear Cubs—far exceeding the team’s annual expenses and securing its financial future for the next decade.
Nancy Thrasher, co-owner of Furlong’s Candies, explained that Danny was trying to do something good for his brother’s team, emphasizing that it wasn’t just any regular hockey team. She noted that the team needed much more equipment and mentioned that it seemed like a perfect opportunity for them to get involved.
Town officials face backlash for ice cream stand shutdown
As Danny’s story gained traction, town officials received hate mail and death threats. They argued that the situation had been mischaracterised and clarified that the family had previously sold homemade ice cream and promoted it on social media. The Board of Health’s letter was only sent after multiple complaints and unsuccessful attempts to contact the Dohertys.
Tony Mazzucco, Norwood’s town manager, said that they had to handle staff who were upset because they were being threatened. He explained that Massachusetts law permits lemonade stands and bake sales but prohibits homemade ice cream due to health risks like listeria, according to media reports.
John Quill, the director and coach of the Boston Bear Cubs said that the community’s response had overwhelmed them. He noted that Danny had inspired many people to do good, be kind, and support their cause. Although the sudden attention was overwhelming for Danny, he said that the impact of his actions had created a lasting legacy. He mentioned that there were so many people and they started chanting his name, which he didn’t like, so he ran away. He added that he was uncomfortable with all the attention focused on him, according to a 9 News report.
Danny Doherty, seeking a summer project, began selling homemade ice cream to fundraise for his brother’s hockey team in Norwood. His stand, featuring flavors like vanilla, shaved chocolate, and fluffernutter, quickly drew about 20 customers.A few days later, the Norwood Board of Health closed the stand for a Massachusetts Food Code violation after a complaint. Despite this setback, the community swiftly rallied around Danny, leading to his ice cream selling out in just 10 minutes on the first giveaway day and raising approximately $20,000.
“I was shocked and disappointed,” Danny said about receiving the letter on August 5. “I don’t understand because there are so many lemonade stands, and they don’t get shut down.”
Family shocked by health department’s actions
Nancy Doherty, Danny’s mother, who supported his venture as long as half of the proceeds went to charity, was taken aback by the complaint.
She said that the most disappointing aspect was that someone had complained about a child’s stand. She found it somewhat crazy that someone felt it necessary to make such a complaint.
Instead of giving up, Danny chose to give away the ice cream, accepting donations for the Boston Bear Cubs, a team of players with physical and developmental disabilities, including his autistic brother.
Community comes together to support Danny
Danny’s story became a sensation in Norwood and it lead the community to rally around Danny. On the first day of the giveaway, the ice cream sold out in just 10 minutes and raised $1,000. Local businesses quickly got involved.
Among the most successful fundraisers was one organized by Furlong’s Candies and Boston radio station WWBX-FM, which raised $3,600 on a busy day with lines stretching out the door.
Danny’s fundraising efforts brought in about $20,000 for the Boston Bear Cubs—far exceeding the team’s annual expenses and securing its financial future for the next decade.
Nancy Thrasher, co-owner of Furlong’s Candies, explained that Danny was trying to do something good for his brother’s team, emphasizing that it wasn’t just any regular hockey team. She noted that the team needed much more equipment and mentioned that it seemed like a perfect opportunity for them to get involved.
Town officials face backlash for ice cream stand shutdown
As Danny’s story gained traction, town officials received hate mail and death threats. They argued that the situation had been mischaracterised and clarified that the family had previously sold homemade ice cream and promoted it on social media. The Board of Health’s letter was only sent after multiple complaints and unsuccessful attempts to contact the Dohertys.
Tony Mazzucco, Norwood’s town manager, said that they had to handle staff who were upset because they were being threatened. He explained that Massachusetts law permits lemonade stands and bake sales but prohibits homemade ice cream due to health risks like listeria, according to media reports.
John Quill, the director and coach of the Boston Bear Cubs said that the community’s response had overwhelmed them. He noted that Danny had inspired many people to do good, be kind, and support their cause. Although the sudden attention was overwhelming for Danny, he said that the impact of his actions had created a lasting legacy. He mentioned that there were so many people and they started chanting his name, which he didn’t like, so he ran away. He added that he was uncomfortable with all the attention focused on him, according to a 9 News report.
