UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – Ben and Jerry’s is giving back one scoop at a time, in honor of autism awareness.
“It will be insane,” said Pamela Leikin, owner of the store in University Heights. “Thousands of people literally come through this door to get a free scoop of ice cream.”
The company’s annual free cone day is celebrate across the country. Select stores are participating by giving back to charity.
The location, at 20650 North Park Blvd, will be giving back to the Cleveland chapter of Autism Speaks.
“The whole community comes out for a free cone,” said Shari Goldberg of Autism Speaks. “I mean, why wouldn’t you want to have ice cream? But at the same time, you’re learning about something that’s affecting people all around you.”
People can visit the location, near John Carroll University, from noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, for free ice cream. Patrons are asked to make donations to give back to the organization, which raises the most money for research of its kind.
“You realize this is everywhere. It is absolutely everywhere and discriminates against nobody,” said Howard Kramer, a parent of an autistic child.
“You want them to feel they have every chance in the world to do everything that they can possibly do. And by making people more and more aware of what this condition is and what more needs to be done, then it’s a win for everybody.”