Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

 

SALISBURY — Because April 15, tax day, is typically a stressful day, Kona Ice is helping to ease that stress as it celebrates Chill Out Day and gives away a free treat.

Craig Munhall, who owns Kona Ice Salisbury with his wife Carrie, participated in this annual community giveback event, which is also the beginning of their season, he said.

He said that Kona Ice is a nationwide franchise and tax day is usually a stressful day so “we all just said, why don’t we do something for the community. On a very stressful day, come chill out with us.”

On tax day, Munhall parked their mobile truck at the Bell Tower Green from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., ready and waiting for the community to come and get a free Kona Ice.

“Across the country, all of our franchise owners will stop and give away for a couple hours, anyone who comes to the truck,” he said.

Leonard Hoyle who said he works for the public works at the Bell Tower stopped by to get a free shaved ice.

Having the Kona truck there is “great community support,” Hoyle said. “I think it’s wonderful that they offer this kind of thing for people.”

He also noted Munhall has been with Kona for many years supporting the various functions that the city has to which he responded by saying, “I love coming.” 

As people were getting their ice, Munhall pointed out the different flavors of syrup they could choose from and said, “the most popular flavors are out there and everybody can make their own combinations and put as much syrup as they like.”

Amora Merino was there along with her little six-week old puppy and said she was enjoying her ice.

As the event was coming to a close, Munhall said it had been a good morning as additional workers and others had dropped by. Plus, he said someone had shared about the event with people in the library and that families came out to enjoy some Kona Ice. He said it was good to see the children lining up.