Ice cream entrepreneur creates circle of kindness for kids
BUFFALO, NY - On any given summer day, you’re likely to find James Karagiannis perched on his bicycle-propelled ice cream stand, handing out frozen treats to tiny hands.
But Karagiannis, who is better known as James the Ice Creamcycle Dude, knows ice cream is more than a tasty treat.
Since 2007, the Buffalo native has been peddling ice cream in his hometown. His adventures atop a bicycle meant becoming intimately familiar with the communities he served.
So when he saw that some kids consistently couldn’t afford to spare a dollar for his ice cream, Karagiannis had an idea.
Patrons of James’ bicycle-driven ice cream stands can make a donation when they buy a frozen dessert. Kids who can’t spare a dollar can write a thank-you note to donors in exchange for their own cold treat. The result? An inclusive system of ice cream for all and a sweet chance for a lesson in thank-yous.
“I want them to earn it” said Karagiannis, who says he would've been a teacher if he hadn't started his own business.
With a summer of sweltering temperatures drawing to a close, James the Ice Creamcycle Dude is still sharing the frozen love around Buffalo.
Thanks to a little ingenuity and a lot of love, Buffalo ice cream lovers can find even more joy at the bottom of their cone.
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