The Long, Hot Summer...
There is a man named Matt Allen, who travels this great country in an old ice cream truck handing out delicious frozen treats to all absolutely free of charge. That's right reader I said F-R-E-E, and no he is not wanted by the authorities, nor does he have to register with local governments whenever he comes to town. Matt Allen is just a laid-back old fashioned American dreamer who thought it would kick ass to drive all over the US giving away ice cream.
Matt Allen has spent the last three years exploring America in his 1969 Chevy ice cream truck and has made a lot of people smile with his free treats. Matt has traveled from New York to California and many places in between. He often visits hospitals and public recreation areas in the hot days of summer handing out ice cream and making friends. He also travels to major music festivals on both coasts and delights concert goers and performers with his free frozen fun. In another life Matt was a student at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and dreamed of a post-graduation career as an "Ice Cream" man. At one point he purchased an old fashioned three-wheeled delivery bicycle and rode around Durango with his frozen cargo. Fast forward a few years and now Matt has a truck, corporate sponsorship and product tie-ins that help him keep his dream alive. Matt receives funding from jean giant Levi/Strauss and has been sponsored by various record companies -Matt gives away popsicles with special wrappers that profile a hot national band's new album, upcoming concert, etc. Recently Matt has been hired by the White Stripes to advertise their new album "Icky Thump" and has done a lot of promotion for the Bonnaroo music festival.
Matt's ultimate goal is to hand out one million free frozen treats to his fellow citizens, he estimates he has given away 60,000 or so to date. He has been quoted as saying that he cannot count every treat he has given away and does not care to be 100% exact, he just really enjoys the giving. As long as he has the means to reload his old truck's freezer and gas tank he will continue to hit the highways and byways of the US passing out bomb pops and joy. I would like to add that he does this year round, decorating his truck with Christmas lights in the colder months and staying the course. I don't have anything cynical or snarky to say about this story, I just think that Matt Allen and his dream are absolutely awesome.
Matt Allen receives five eye-shattering brain freezes out of a possible five... and my respect.