Businesses In 'The Cold' Are Warming Up Crofton Hearts

Many of the local Crofton businesses understand the need and want for community fundraising. Between Italian ice and ice cream cakes, frozen treat shops help raise thousand of dollars for local community programs. Taking part in these efforts include high school athletic programs, marching bands, cheerleaders, churches, and mission organizations plus public and private elementary and preschools. Three businesses have made fundraising easy, fun and profitable.

Rita’s Italian Ice located on Defense Highway offers two fundraising options. The most popular, according to owner Jerry Orr is the “$5.00 Discount Card.”

Organizations simply pre-purchase Rita’s Discount Cards for $1 each. The organization then re-sells them for $5.00. “For the group that is a 400% return on investment. Plus, customers get 10% off their purchases the entire season,” said Orr.

He went on to explain that Rita’s will host “Event Nights.” A group can designated a night between Monday thru Thursday during the hours of 5 to 7pm and 20% of proceeds from a designated cash register go to the group.

“We love being apart of the Crofton and Bowie communities. Plus, it is a joy to watch people come together, have a treat and spend quality time together. It is like a fifteen minute vacation,” said Orr.

The owner of the new Bruster's Ice Cream, Dawn Rodriguez has plans for three fundraising opportunities for local groups. “We were drawn to the Crofton area because we were looking for a community with lots of families and a sense of community,” said the owner of the store located off Rt.3.

“One of the things that drew us to Bruster's was the ability to get involved with the community. I had seen how other Bruster's had partnered with multiple organizations (PTAs, school groups, church groups, BSA, GSA, sports teams, SPCA) for fund raisers and loved that aspect of the business. Not all franchises allow such latitude,” said mother of one Rodriguez.

Rodriguez explained that if you are looking for a way to make money and reward your kids to try their Brusters Blue Pop Italian Ice. The group can earn $1 for every $2 blue pop ice sold. “Participants take pre-orders and payment, submit the form to us and we take care of the rest. We’ll bring the pre-scooped cups, napkins and spoons to your school to make it super easy and super fun,” said Rodriguez who owns the store with her husband.

“Easy as Pie” is the name of their second option for fundraising. There is no pick-up or delivery because the customer picks up the pies at the store. Participants simply take the pie orders and the collections. Pies can be customized for holidays and seasons. Then the group receives a portion of the sales.

A third and popular option is their “Celebrity Scoopers.” The group provides the scoopers to take orders at the store and the group invites friends and family for evening. Then they will give you a percentage of the sales for the organization.

Cold Stone Creamery located in Waugh Chapel Shopping Center says they put the fun into fundraising. According to their website most organization can raise on an average, 200-800 dollars in 3 hours by having an “Old Fashion Ice Cream social” with Celebrity Scoopers at Cold Stone Creamery.

Seventeen year old Zach Smitts of Davidsonville said “At South River our band has used Rita’s cards to make money.” He goes on to add “I don’t care if it is ice cream or Italian ice fund raiser – it’s all good and it’s all cold!”