Article

Fans showed up for free ice cream, were challenged to 'pay it forward'

Cold Stone Creamery is sending its Random Acts of Cold Stone team around the country giving away free ice cream. In return, the team is challenging fans to "pay if forward" by committing a random act of kindness for someone else.

@shelby3lizabeth pledged to by coffee for a stranger (image via Twitter)

January 23, 2015 by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

That free ice cream is gonna cost you, but it might just be worth it.

Cold Stone Creamery is sending its Random Acts of Cold Stone team around the country giving away free ice cream. In return, the team is challenging fans to "pay if forward" by committing a random act of kindness for someone else.

The team's itinerary isn't public. Fans are encouraged to follow Cold Stone on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for clues about where they will turn up next. Social media users can follow the conversation using the hashtag #RandomActsOfColdStone.

The tour kicked off at corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 6. Additional stops have included the original Cold Stone Creamery in Tempe, Arizona; Great Falls, Montana; Clinton, Connecticut; Henderson, Nevada; Evansville, Indiana; and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Three additional stops are planned. Cold Stone Creamery operates more than 1,500 locations in 26 countries.

Fans are encouraged to post their commitment to "pay if forward" by posting on social media using the hashtag #ColdStonePayItForward. Here's a roundup of tweets:

About Brenda Rick Smith

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Brenda has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and public relations professional. She invested most of her career telling the story of entrepreneurial non-profit organizations, particularly through social media.

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