Frost Bites owners’ benevolent actions spread love and joy By Wendy O. Dixon
Frost Bites, specializing in Hawaiian shave ice, frozen custard and old-fashioned root beer floats, has provided sweet treats for Seaside locals and visitors since 1994, when the first Airstream trailer opened on Airstream Row.
The owners of Frost Bites, Mike and Chance Gullett, donate time and products to charities related to cancer, addiction, the military and animals.
One of the Gulletts’ favorite charities — Lighthouse Family Retreat, an organization serving children with cancer — holds annual family-fun retreats in Seaside, WaterColor, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest and Gulf Place, among other nearby beach towns. Mike Gullett knows the pain a family goes through when dealing with cancer. His oldest son, Nic, was diagnosed with a rare cancer and given nearly no chance to live, at 10 years old. “He’s 37 now,” Mike Gullett says. “He has gone on to graduate from North Carolina and has received a law degree.” The kids who attend the retreats are given a free T-shirt and all the sweet frozen treats they want.
Alaqua Animal Refuge, a Freeport-based animal sanctuary that provides protection, shelter and care to animals in need, is another charity the Gulletts are involved in. During the animal refuge outreach events, Frost Bites donates proceeds from shave ice and other treat sales, as well as T-shirt sales. “We’ve even adopted a dog or two out there,” says Gullett.
Camel Club, a local organization specializing in addiction recovery; Shelter House and Haven House, both of which provide temporary emergency housing and supportive services to homeless families; Long Island Bulldog Rescue and Bullies to the Rescue, two bulldog rescue organizations, all benefit from the contributions of Frost Bites. The Gulletts have an English bulldog named Dapple, and two French bulldogs — Tweeny and Bali.
With Gullet’s son, Austin, serving in Afghanistan, the Gulletts’ most recent charity interest is the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps wounded warriors and their families. A special menu item at Frost Bites is a shave ice treat called G.I. Joe, in honor of service members for their selfless and brave service. The treat — made with lime and cola flavored ice and topped with soldier gummies — is $6. All proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Visit Frost Bites online
To learn more about the charities supported by Frost Bites, visit:
http://www.lighthousefamilyret...
http://www.woundedwarriorproje...
https://www.alaquaanimalrefuge...
http://www.bullies2therescue.c...
Camel Club (800) 559-9503