Support the American Red Cross, purchase ice cream

During the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the American Red Cross provided a great deal of support to New Jersey residents, especially those in Ocean County. During the response phase of the storm, the organization mobilized more than 5,300 employees and volunteers and provided more than 28,300 health and mental health contacts to state residents. The organization also distributed more than 1.5 million relief items and served more than 4 million meals and snacks. The ARC continues to offer help to victims of the storm.

Photo by Laura Steinmetz
Laura Steinmetz's dog, HD, participates
in the ice cream contest. Steinmetz is the
American Red Cross South Jersey Region's
community/government relations officer.

Now the ARC needs the public’s support. Don’t worry, no one’s asking for blood (though the ARC is always in need of more supplies). The organization just needs people to purchase ice cream.

Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet member Trace Adkins is one of the two final contestants in this season’s television show “Celebrity Apprentice.” As part of the show’s final challenge, the remaining two contestants have developed custom ice cream flavors for Walgreens “Good and Delish” ice cream brand, Red Cross officials said. This week’s sales of the ice cream at Walgreens and Duane Reade stores will figure into the decision on who will be the show’s winner. The contestant with the best selling flavor will receive an extra $100,000 for his charity. Adkins developed a “Maple Macadamia Mash Up,” based on his favorite candy flavor, maple nut.

If Adkins’ flavor is the top seller this week, he will win an extra $100,000 for the ARC. That translates into 10,000 meals for disaster victims or 20,000 blankets for people who stay in ARC shelters, officials announced.

Take photos of yourself purchasing Adkins’ “Maple Macadamia Mash Up” at Walgreens, located at 879 West Bay Ave. in Barnegat, and at 201 Mathistown Rd. in Little Egg Harbor Township. Submit the photos by email to laura.steinmetz@redcross.org. The photos will be posted to Twitter @RedCrossSouthNJ. Participation is available this week only. 

— Kelley Anne Essinger

This article was published in The SandPaper.