While the temperature is trending away from the fall-like weather we associate with grabbing an ice cream cone from one of the many local seasonal establishments, there’s no rule against eating one in the middle of fall. Especially when it’s for a good cause.
Every year, for the last 20-plus, Tom Arnold, owner of Arnie’s Place, has hosted Almost Free Ice Cream Day.
It always happens the Saturday after Arnie’s closes for the season, and after doing a free ice cream day for a few years, Arnold had a better idea.
“I was thinking, ‘Why don’t we use it to raise some money?’ ” he said.
So ice cream cones are $2 and whatever they have left in stock for flavors is fair game – and any size. Sundaes and flurries are also sold at a discounted rate.
He’s done it for a variety of local charities and organizations, but this year is a little different. The money brought in this year will go to the family of Parker Taylor.
Taylor, a freshman at Concord High School, was in an ATV accident on Aug. 23 in Lake George. He was riding shotgun in a Rhino ATV when he and a friend hit a soft shoulder. The ATV rolled and Taylor suffered a compound fracture to his right tibia, which means the bone was sticking out of his leg.
And needless to say, the last month and a half has not been easy. Taylor spent four days at Albany Medical Center after a medevac. He was then transported to Boston Children’s Hospital where he was until being released on Sept. 16.
Taylor has already undergone nine surgeries to not only repair the break, but also repair damaged tissue and skin graphs.
“He has at least two more to go,” said Chris Taylor, Parker’s dad.
Taylor must be in a wheelchair for about three months while the bone heals. It’s about an 18-month recovery process that will include lots of doctor visits and physical therapy.
“They said 40 to 50 years ago, they would have just amputated his leg,” Chris said.
So you can imagine what kind of hospital bills the family is facing.
“The more people who come, the more money the family gets,” Arnold said.
Taylor returned to school on a limited basis last week, but he won’t be able to play hockey or lacrosse until at least next year.
“Its been really difficult for him,” Chris said.
Almost Free Ice Cream Day will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all proceeds benefit Taylor. Arnie’s employees even work for free.
“The community has really been there,” Chris said. “Any little bit is going to help.”
