GoFundMe Drive Raises Nearly $40K To Help Elderly Ice Cream Man Retire

Jun 25, 2020

In just two days, a GoFundMe fundraiser to help an elderly Chicago ice cream man retire has raised nearly $40,000.

The ice cream man in question is Don Rosario, a 70-year-old local paleta (a mexican popsicle) vendor who got big on social media after being featured in a TikTok video.

In the original video, which Chicago resident Miklo Mosqueda posted to his TikTok account on June 22, 2020, the Gonzalez-Domínguez family purchases the entire contents of Rosario’s ice cream cart on Father’s Day so that he could spend the rest of the holiday with his family. The video shows the 70-year-old tearing up after the generous purchase.

"Buying all the paletas from the #PaletaMan so he can go home and relax on Father’s Day," Mosqueda’s TikTok caption read.

Since it was posted, the video has accumulated more than 5 million views, 1.4 million likes, and tens of thousands of comments. The video has also been picked up by various news outlets from across the country. But just when viewers thought that this story couldn’t get better, the Mosqueda family stepped in yet again.

On June 23, 2020, Michaelangelo Mosqueda started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Rosario’s retirement. “The funds that we are raising will be used to help Don Rosario retire,” Michaelangelo wrote on the fundraising site.

“The money raised will hopefully allow him to no longer have to work in the heat. I intend to withdraw the money and personally deliver it to him. I have obtained his contact information to set up a meeting and give him all the donations.”

And as of June 25, Michaelangelo has raised a total of $39,305 for Rosario’s retirement — an average of approximately $13 every minute. Along with their donations, fans of the elderly ice cream man have also voiced their support on GoFundMe, writing heartfelt notes to Rosario and the Mosqueda family.

“I grew up poor and I understand this hustle,” Alicia Castellano wrote alongside her $10 donation. “I’m proud of my heritage that raises men of integrity with an amazing work ethic. They don’t ask for handouts, they get to work and make it happen. Thank you so much for doing this for him, he is so deserving! Please update us when you give him the funds.”

In his most recent update on the page, Michaelangelo told donors that they had already surpassed the fundraising goal and that he would be ending the GoFundMe campaign.

“Millions of thanks to everyone that shared and donated to make this all possible! We have met and surpassed our goal to raise Don Rosario’s donations […] Donations will be ending now, thank you all who contributed in any way! We can’t wait to present Don Rosario with his Donations, please be patient!”

What do you think of this incredible story? Has your community done something similar? Let us know and pass this uplifting story on to friends and family members to pass on the spirit of giving.