Downtown LaGrange ice cream event to benefit shelter one scoop at a time
Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 20, 2015
LaGRANGE — While a contest serving up homemade ice cream sounds like something that would cool folks down, Jessica David said things get heated up when competitors go head-to-head for the annual competition on Lafayette Square.
“Who will have the best ice cream,” she asked. “We’ve had some very competitive people … the West Georgia Auburn Alumni Club challenges everyone to outdo their orange sherbert this year.”
From orange sherbert to chocolate chip to bacon and maple flavored ice cream, folks can find a multitude of flavors to tickle their taste buds at the fourth annual Miss Emma’s Ice Cream Crankin’ Contest.
David is the director of the Emmaus Shelter and the organizer of the event. She said the ice cream social features dozens of folks “cranking” out their own special brand and flavor, while many others come out to taste as much of the cold stuff as they can.
Awards are handed out for best overall ice cream and best original recipe, among other things.
But more importantly, David said, the event is centered around families and being with loved ones.
“We wouldn’t have as many homeless people if they had healthy families,” she said. “This event is our celebration of families. It’s our heart to encourage families to care for one another, because Emmaus truly just fills in the gap for lack of family.”
A temporary family that continues to grow, David added. The Ice Cream Crankin’ Contest is coming at just the right time.
“All the proceeds help Emmaus shelter the homeless and feed them too,” she stated. “We sheltered 31 people this week and fed them. We’ve got to keep the shelters open to keep helping these people.”
The fundraiser will also help the shelter with another project: renovating rooms inside their new men’s transitional facility at the Matthews Building on Hill Street near Youngs Mill Road.
David said Wednesday that five men live inside the building, helping to renovate the rooms and earn their beds.
The shelter is asking businesses or groups to “Adopt-A-Room” to help refurbish and renovate them. David said only one room has been completed, eight rooms are in various stages of renovations and three rooms still need to be adopted.
“Adopt-A-Room can be done physically or financially,” David explained. “Some have decided to donate monetarily or have provided physical time. Soon, we hope to have rooms adopted for women and children also.”
Interface donated new carpet to be placed throughout the building, she noted.
Miss Emma’s Ice Cream Crankin’ will be 2–4 p.m. Aug. 30 on Lafayette Square.
The cost of a family pass is $15 for all the ice cream you can eat; $5 for individuals. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the event.
There will also be Miss Beauty and Mr. Cutey Contest for children. Entry for the contest is $15 or 3 gallons of ice cream, and David encouraged entrants to pre-register, but registration will be open on the day of the event.
Cost to enter the ice cream contest as a cranker is free. For those who want a sponsored booth, cost is $150. Other sponsorship opportunities also are available.
Anyone wishing to sign up for either competition, or buy advance tickets to the event can contact Jessica David at The Emmaus Shelter, 321 B Greenville St. in LaGrange, at 706-883-7471 or jessica@emmausshelter.com.