Wendell Foster resident Bryant Hollifield saw his dream come to fruition Thursday morning. He, along with other residents and occupational therapists, sold ice cream to Wendell Foster employees, residents and the community.
Two months ago, Hollifield had the idea for an ice cream shop and he shared this idea with his occupational therapist Nichole Dallas.
They began researching what types of ice cream they would sell and to whom. Then they added a few more residents to help with the planning– Jennifer Hayse, Josh Taylor and John Andriakos, and they created a name for the stand, Creamalicious.
“The rest is history,” Hollifield said, adding that it took a lot of hardship to make it happen.
Last Wednesday, the residents and some of the occupational staff went shopping for the ingredients, but Hollifield did not want to go because it was hot dog lunch at Wendell Foster and he wanted his hot dog.
Dallas said that this is not uncommon for residents who like routine, but after getting his house supervisors to “sign a contract” that they would save a hot dog for him, Hollifield went shopping so they could make — and sample — the flavors for this week’s stand.
“It’s important to work on their specific goals — social skills, community outings and experiences,” Dallas said.
New friendships were created among the founders of Creamalicious as they worked on their fine and gross motor skills while cutting the bananas for the banana ice cream, mixing the ingredients, collecting money and providing change to the customers.
“They did a lot of work for this, but we are making it fun,” Dallas said.
Thursday’s steady line of customers proved that Hollifield’s idea was popular, and he and Dallas are already planning to serve ice cream at the Wendell Foster summer bash.
This time, however, he wants to make his favorite flavor, mint chocolate chip.
“We made ice cream all week so we would have enough,” Dallas said. “We bought an ice cream maker for this.”
The proceeds from the sale of the ice cream go to the occupational therapist outing fund which allows residents to do community activities as well as fund crafts and activities at Wendell Foster.
“Owensboro is very, very welcoming,” Dallas said.
