People line up for a free scoop of Ben and Jerry’s

By Tiffany Gibson

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 | 8:54 p.m.

A free scoop of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream has become a delicious tradition and an opportunity to donate to a worthy cause.

This year, Ben and Jerry’s stores in Nevada gave away free ice cream on Tuesday and raised money for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to neglected and abandoned children.

Donation buckets and information pamphlets about the organization were displayed near the counter at the Henderson store, 2225 Village Walk Drive, where customers lined up to get a free scoop of their favorite flavor.

“Ben and Jerry’s saw our message and...said, ‘That’s a good cause,’” said Veronica Huening, community relations specialist for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.

Sam Tubolino, 71, of Saratoga, New York, said he heard about the free ice cream day on the radio and wanted to make a donation to St. Jude’s Ranch. He said he also wanted to get a free scoop of his favorite ice cream, New York chocolate chunk.

“We live not too far from where Ben and Jerry’s started (in New York),” Tubolino said. “They have always been very generous.”

Jane and Dave Singleton of Henderson said free ice cream day has become a tradition in their family. The couple said they’ve also participated in the event in Illinois and Pennsylvania.

“It’s something we’ve always done,” said Jane Singleton. “It’s a great way to give back.”

The couple’s 3-year-old son Tyson participated for the first time this year. Digging his spoon into his cookies and cream ice cream, Tyson shoveled bite after bite into his mouth with a grin on his face.

UNLV students Alexandra Barilla, 22, and Kristen Kidman, 23, said they stood in line for a scoop of cookies and cream and mint chocolate.

But ice cream wasn’t the only thing customers enjoyed.

The Las Vegas Corvette Association showcased about 10 classic corvettes at the event.

Jim Wolf of the Las Vegas Corvette Association said the organization does a lot of fundraisers for St. Jude’s Ranch and wanted to help bring attention to event. He said he brought his own 1976 Corvette with to display in front of the ice cream shop.

It might sound cliché, Wolf said, but he’d do “anything for the kids.”