Boy's Ice Cream Stand for Charity Shut Down

In Norwood, Massachusetts, 12-year-old Danny Doherty aimed to raise money for his brother's hockey team by selling homemade ice cream. Just days after launching his stand and serving fewer than two dozen customers, local authorities sent him a letter that demanded it be shut down, citing violations of the Massachusetts Food Code. "I was surprised and upset," Danny remarked, noting many lemonade stands remain untouched.

Rather than quit, Danny began giving away ice cream and accepting donations for the Boston Bear Cubs, a team made up of players with physical and developmental disabilities; Danny's brother is autistic. His efforts quickly gained traction, and he raised $1,000 on the first day. Encouraged by local media coverage, other businesses joined the cause of supporting the team; Furlong's Candies, for instance, raised $3,600 in collaboration with WWBX-FM.

Town officials defended their decision, citing legitimate health concerns and regulatory missteps. Tony Mazzucco, Norwood's town manager, referenced the risk of contamination in homemade ice cream. Despite the furor and threats directed at town staff, Danny's campaign ultimately pulled in $20,000 for the hockey team, securing its future for years. "Danny inspired a whole lot of people to do good," said John Quill, the team's director. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)