World-famous recording artist Vanilla Ice is teaming up with Bronx House Pizza's Hammock location to host a children’s charity event this month.
In a video posted to social media earlier this week, Vanilla Ice announced the all-day event in partnership with Little Smiles.
“Come see us on Sunday the 25th," he said in the video. "We’re doing a charity event here for Little Smiles; it helps out the terminally ill children, and we’re going to pack this place in, man.
“It’s gonna be a good time, for a good cause … come see us, we’re gonna say hello to everybody and have a really good time.”
According to Brad Beam, owner of the Bronx House’s two Palm Coast restaurants and its St. Augustine location, whether dining in, ordering takeout or getting a slice delivered, the entirety of the day’s sales will support the Little Smiles charity to help children in need.
“You hear a lot of people say ‘we’ll donate all of our proceeds,’ but proceeds, you’re still taking out the money that you spend on labor, on food costs, things like that. So, it’s still gracious, don't get me wrong, but we were like, let’s not do proceeds — we want to do sales,” Beam said.
“No matter how much money we raise that day, we’re not taking anything out of it … anybody can come in here, and they could literally just buy one soda, and that $3.50 is gonna go straight to Little Smiles that day. It’s that easy.”
According to Beam, though the charity is based in south Florida, it prioritizes “using the money where it's being donated,” and has noted that the funds raised during the event will support Halifax Health pediatric units in Daytona Beach.
How the Vanilla Ice Little Smiles event came to be
Beam and Vanilla Ice met more than six months ago when the star visited the local pizza shop while filming his reality house-flipping series, "The Vanilla Ice Project," in the area. After hitting it off, a friendship blossomed and the duo remained in contact.
“(Vanilla Ice) and I were just talking one day and I asked, ‘What’s a big charity that’s important to you?’… As soon as I asked him he had this smile, and I could tell as soon as he started telling me about (Little Smiles) that he was very passionate about it,” Beam said.
“They help kids that are terminally ill (through various programs and events) … That’s their thing — and you see these kids that are going through the worst of the worst and they're still able to smile. They forget about all the pain, all the suffering, and they’re able to smile and laugh and just be kids.”
Beam said Bronx House Pizza has long been passionate about giving back to the community, and has participated in various charity events over the years, including working with the Salvation Army in Daytona, local food pantries, elementary schools and homeless shelters.
When the opportunity to give back to Little Smiles arose, Beam knew the restaurant couldn’t pass up the chance to help children in need within its own community.
A look into Little Smiles
The 1999-founded nonprofit is based in Palm Beach County, Florida, and strives to “help kids be kids during difficult times” by partnering with more than 30 pediatric facilities across South Florida and the Treasure Coast to provide the support and resources necessary to children experiencing homelessness, severe illnesses and other difficulties.
According to the charity’s website, Little Smiles programs “include exciting events that cater to all of the children receiving care in our partner facilities,” including “movie nights, arts and crafts and snack breaks.”
The organization also works with liaisons to provide for individual requests.
"Some examples of these requests include toys to help distract a child post-surgery, pajamas to help them stay extra comfy throughout their stay at the facility, and even a cake or present to help celebrate a birthday while a kid can’t be within the comforts of home,” the website states.
Little Smiles Founder Chip Donohue and his family, among others with the charity, will attend the event, Beam tells me, in hopes of sharing the nonprofit's story and connecting with the local community.
What to expect at the Bronx House Pizza fundraiser
“We’re going to actually be open an hour early — our outdoor area,” Beam said, noting that a liquor truck will be available to provide mimosas and other brunch-like beverages for customers to enjoy before the restaurant's noon opening. Once doors open, the event will last all day until the eatery’s 8 p.m. closing.
“Were going to try to get as many people to come in here, purchase some food and purchase some drinks so that we’re able to maximize how much were able to donate to Little Smiles,” Beam said, noting the restaurant’s fundraising goal of $20,000.
According to Beam, Vanilla Ice — "blown away" at the opportunity to be a part of such a great cause — will attend the event for several hours and hopes to introduce himself, take photos, and engage with the community. The time has not yet been specified.
“He loves this area, he loves being here and he loves our restaurant,” Beam said.
“Bronx House is excited to do something like this because, at the end of the day, it’s about being able to help others and give back — especially to something like this … I don’t know anybody who you would tell what this charity does and they wouldn’t want to help out in some way.”
According to Beam, valet parking will be set up on the southside and northside entrances of restaurant to convenience customers. Those unable to attend but still hoping to donate can text BRONXPIZZA to 44321 or using the online QR-code and donation link that will be available during the event on Feb. 25.
Bronx House Pizza's Hammock restaurant is located at 5384 N. Ocean Shore Blvd. in Palm Coast and is open 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and noon – 8 p.m. Sunday. For information call 386-387-4992 or visit littlesmilesfl.org or facebook.com/bronxhousepizza.
Helena Perray is the restaurant and dining writer for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A New Jersey native and passionate storyteller, she can be contacted at hperray@gannett.com. Follow her onInstagramandFacebook.Support local journalism bysubscribing
