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Ben & Jerry’s 31st Annual “Free Cone Day” Serves More Than 7,300 Scoops & Raises Money for Local Charities

Ben & Jerry’s 31st Annual “Free Cone Day,” held on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the District at Green Valley Ranch and Galleria at Sunset locations, was an overwhelming success giving away more than an estimated 7,300 cones!   (Pictured at left: Louie Anderson).  This figure more than triples the amount of free cones distributed between the two Scoop Shops last year. As done in years’ past, the two Henderson locations enlisted the help of local celebrity scoopers to benefit Nevada Community Learning Centers (formerly Classroom on Wheels) and Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. The two local charities combined raised more than $1,400 during the day, again notably surpassing last year’s figures.

The District at Green Valley Ranch location welcomed the help of KVVU-TV FOX 5’s Amy Carabba and Rachel Smith, Pro BMX rider Ricardo Laguna, cast members of “Fantasy,” “Thunder from Down Under,” “X Burlesque” and Men of “X,” and Louie Anderson, who stayed twice as long as scheduled and worked tirelessly to assist with the long lines. Nearby pizzeria Rosati’s on Horizon Ridge brought the crew complimentary pizza throughout the day to help keep their stamina up.

Ben & Jerry’s Galleria at Sunset location got assistance from magician David Darkstone, Tom Wilkinson, President of Vegas4Locals.com, and his fiancé, country singer Marjie Parsons, and Vinnie Favorito, who served up a side of “roast” with his scoops. Cosmo, the Las Vegas 51’s mascot, joined Clifford the Big Red Dog in keeping the kids in line entertained.

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, and is open Tue.-Fri. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. Noon – 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children ages 1 through 17, seniors and military families. Children under one year are free. The “Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog” exhibit is on display through May 25, 2009. For more information call 702-382-KIDS (5437) or visit the Museum website: www.ldcm.org.

The Nevada Community Learning Centers (formerly Classroom on Wheels) mission is to provide preschool children and their families with free quality educational services to empower them to succeed in life. Throughout the years, the success of the COW program has grown tremendously. As a result, the parent organization name has been changed to Nevada Community Learning Centers and the preschool program renamed Three Key Years Preschool Program, while remaining dedicated to providing educational services to economically disadvantage preschool children and their families. For more information, please call 702-870-7201.

(Photos courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s).