Friends Helping Friends

What happens when you team a group of fabulous kids suffering from Childhood Cancer up with an ice cream franchise?  An awakening happens! 

Bruster’s has always been committed to being a vital part of many types of organizations in Henry County.  The company has sponsored many youth athletic teams, schools and a number of charities.  When Bruster’s Franchise Owner and VP of Operations, Christina Parker’s life was affected by Cancer, she knew that she had a job to do.  It wasn’t until she met Terry Milling and her best friend Erin Streeter that her mission would get a deeper definition.

Let’s start at the beginning.  In 2002, through testing for a severe stomach ache, Terry, then five years old, was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Sarcoma of the Liver.  After suffering for many years she found herself in the very caring life of Christina Parker, a Cancer Survivor herself.  Christina just happened to own a franchise selling the best ice cream in the country and together they teamed up to raise money, but most importantly to bring awareness to Childhood Cancer.  A Taste For Terry was born in 2006.  With very little marketing, only a few supporters and just a few weeks to pull it together they were able to make Taste For Terry a household name in Henry County.

Terry being such a special child decided that she wanted to involve other children while raising the bar of advocacy and awareness of Childhood Cancer.  In 2007, Terry and Erin we were able to find two other Henry County children suffering from Cancer.  Terry then changed the name of the events to Friends Helping Friends.

Today Terry Milling (10 years old), Erin Streeter (10 years old), Faith Grantham (9 years old) and Arianna White (8 years old) are all business partners in the Friends Helping Friends events held every 4th Saturday at Bruster’s on Jodeco Road in McDonough, GA.  The Bruster’s lot is transformed from an ice cream store to a complete carnival atmosphere to draw attention from all parts of the county.  The goal is those approaching the lot will be greeted with the fun childlike surroundings inviting everyone to play.  They are certain that this environment will allow their guest to have their hearts tugged just enough to build a bridge of hope and eventually through research, lead to a cure.

Many are unaware that Childhood Cancer is the leading cause of death in children in the United States.  With lack of awareness comes lack of funding and lack of funding leads to little research and support for the children.  The Friends Helping Friends mission is to bring hope and raise funds for the many children suffering from Cancer, especially to those in the Southern Crescent of Metro Atlanta.

The very real side of this story is that surviving Cancer is a very daunting and expensive task!  If it takes a village to raise a child then it takes an entire county to help one survive this devastating disease.  Henry County is up to this task.  The Bruster’s Team is absolutely sure that with the help of their fabulous community they will change the face of Childhood Cancer as it is known today.

Event Details:

The events start at 6PM on July, 28th, August, 25th, September, 22nd, October, 27th

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
4244 Jodeco Road
McDonough, GA  30253

If you would like to support Friends Helping Friends with your financial contribution or partner with them in this worthy cause, please contact Kimberly Scott, Local Store Marketing Manager at 404-502-9043.