Crofton Community Raises Money For Favorite Ice Cream Man

CROFTON, MD — Children in Crofton sprint to the ice cream truck when it comes rolling down their street. Owned by a Maryland man who goes by the name Mr. Solo, he's been serving up ice cream for five years. He cruises around neighborhood pools and considers all his pint-sized customers as family.

“When I hit the streets it's basically going to see my kids,” Solo told WJLA. “There are a lot of ice cream trucks here. These guys are ice cream men and no offense but I am not. I’m a dad and I treat the children like they are mine.”

But when his truck broke down this summer, his absence was clearly evident.

“It crushed me," Solo said. "That’s not what I am out here for. When I say I am a dad with an ice cream truck and missed an elementary school event, it tore me all the way down."

The 30-year-old ice cream truck had had better days, sure, and for a while it had been breaking down. But this time, there was no hope. So imagine Mr. Solo's surprise when the community of Crofton rallied around him and established a GoFundMe to help him raise money for a new truck.

Resident Christy Barbaran put together the GoFundMe page. She reminded Crofton folks how Mr. Solo inherited the truck from his predecessor Mr. Charlie who also "brought memories and smiles to the Crofton community."

"After repeated issues, breakdowns and malfunctions, it is time for an upgrade," Barbaran wrote. "Mr. Solo, much like everyone in this country, has been severely affected by the pandemic. Let’s unite and help raise money so we can keep our favorite ice cream man driving the streets of our fabulous community for many years to come!"

The GoFundMe page generated almost $10,000.

“The people of Crofton are amazing," Solo said. “The last couple of days that Crofton has shown so much love for me, I got to give it back like I have to give it back,” said Solo.
According to WJLA, Solo not only will use the money to purchase a new truck, but plans to teach his son the ways of his business and pass it on to him some day.

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