Kona Ice Franchise Looks To Make Difference In Community

Kona Ice Franchise Looks To Make Difference In Community
Pictured, from left, at last week’s Showell Elementary School teacher appreciation event where $500 was donated to the school are SES PTA President Jenny Carven, … and Kona Ice’s Marina Minieri. Submitted Photo

BERLIN – The owners of a shaved ice truck are doing their part to give back to the community.

Owners A-Jay and Marina Minieri are new franchisees of a Kona Ice truck. Together, they serve towns along coastal Sussex County, as well as Ocean City, West Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill and surrounding areas.

But for them, the “bread and butter” of their operation is giving back to local schools, sports teams and nonprofits.

“Our job is to do good in the community,” A-Jay Minieri said.

As part of their philanthropic mission, schools, teams and organizations that invite the Kona Ice truck can receive a percentage of the proceeds.

Last week, for example, students at Showell Elementary School were able to enjoy a sweet treat from the Kona Ice truck and raise $500 for the school.

“We love giving back to the schools and putting a smile on children’s faces,” Minieri said. “In four hours, we made $500 for the school, which is amazing.”

Minieri explained the shaved ice franchise has donated more than $62 million to community-based organizations since its launch more than 10 years ago. He said he hopes to continue the giving tradition locally.

“Any nonprofit organization that needs revenue, or wherever there’s a large group of people or kids … that’s where we come in and help,” he said.

Minieri said using the Kona Ice truck for fundraisers is easy.

“We pull up and do everything,” he said. “We’ll filter them in in an organized fashion, we’ll do the cleanup for them and there’s really no cost to them. It’s a great way to raise money.”

He said the truck has even provided free treats to teachers in the community.

“Last week, we participated in Teacher Appreciation Week,” he said. “We went to Showell Elementary and Berlin Intermediate School and gave the faculty and staff free cups of shaved ice to show our appreciation for all the hard work they do.”

Minieri said he had a strong connection to local schools, as his sister is a teacher and his mother worked in school administration.

“It’s one of the hardest and least-appreciated jobs,” he said. “So it’s important and very personal for me to help out teachers and students. Kids today have a rough life and being able to make them happy is important.”

Minieri said the Kona Ice truck will be at various events and festivals in the coming weeks and will continue their philanthropic efforts throughout the community.

“Giving back is the name of the game …,” he said. “Each year we’re going to try and do better.”

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.kona-ice.com.

About The Author: Bethany Hooper

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Bethany Hooper has been with The Dispatch since 2016. She currently covers various general stories. Hooper graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 2012 and the University of Maryland in 2016, where she completed double majors in journalism and economics.