Steve Glynn, director of innovation for The Water Council, enjoys bartending and mixology. After receiving his bartending certification this year, Glynn decided to use his hobby to support nonprofits focused on Milwaukee’s homelessness issue. In partnership with Transfer Pizzeria Café in Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood, Glynn launched a fundraising initiative called Ice Cream Sundays. On the second Sunday of each month this past summer, Glynn set up shop at the restaurant to concoct and sell his original ice cream craft cocktails and sundaes, both made with Milwaukee-based Purple Door Ice Cream. All proceeds benefited The Guest House, Hope House and The Cathedral Center. The effort raised a total of $600.
- November and December 2017: Glynn took bartending courses online through Local Bartending School and Harvard Bartending Course.
- April 2018: Glynn started experimenting at home by using various ingredients to create different types of drinks.
- May 2018: He landed two of his craft cocktails on Transfer’s summer drink menu and pitched his Ice Cream Sundays idea to owners John and Russell Rossetto, who agreed to donate the total proceeds. “We wanted to be careful that it wasn’t all about alcohol. It was really about raising awareness and, if we could, raising money.”
- June 2018: The first of three Ice Cream Sundays was held on June 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The others took place on July 8 and Aug. 12. Among the three days, 60 ice cream cocktails were sold. Drinks were $9 each, and ice cream sundaes were $5.
- September 2018: Glynn’s blended “Milly Vanilly” cocktail, which featured Purple Door chocolate ice cream, Rumchata, Woodford Reserve whiskey and ice, topped with whipped cream and a cherry, was a hit. Glynn delivered checks for $200 to each organization. “I don’t think the homelessness issue is unique to Milwaukee, but we can find unique ways to address it.”
