Jon Boyd, a USF St. Petersburg alumnus, celebrated his 26th birthday by handing out free ice cream and partnering with Birthday Candles for Kids, a local nonprofit focused on planning birthday parties for homeless, fostered and orphaned children in Pinellas County. Courtesy of Jon Boyd.
By Savannah Carr
Last summer, USF St. Petersburg alumnus Jon Boyd spent his 26th birthday handing out free ice cream and raising money for the local nonprofit organization, Birthday Candles for Kids.
“I had recently moved back to St. Petersburg after living overseas and I wanted to do something for my community. So I watched different YouTube videos for inspiration,” he said. “Between my love for ice cream and my love for people, the idea just flowed.”
After a few phone calls, Boyd was able to secure an ice cream truck, along with merchandise donations from the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. For every donation, the Rays and Rowdies gave away merchandise.
“It was pretty awesome the Rays and Rowdies partnered with us. So, we were able to hand out bobble heads and other merchandise,” Boyd said.
Sticking with the birthday theme, he chose to partner with an organization that plans birthday parties for homeless, fostered and orphaned children in Pinellas County.
“We typically spend $40 to $50 on a party, so Jon’s amazing fundraiser will turn into upwards of 20 parties! That is very exciting,” co-founders Chelsea and Kayla Hage said in an email.
Boyd also hopes to continue this tradition for years to come, both on and off campus.
“I definitely see doing it again in the future. Hopefully with a bigger impact around the campus and community. I am considering doing it again during finals week,” he said.
