Local Ben & Jerry’s owner and Williamsburg resident Leon Salzman has been raising money for William & Mary’s Swem Library for years; his most recent donation was $1,003 that the shop raised during Swem Month in October.
Salzman is following a family tradition of supporting the college library – since 1990 the local ice cream shop has raised nearly $22,000 for Swem, thanks to the family’s efforts.
Salzman’s father, Frank Salzman, started the library fundraiser 23 years ago at three of his Williamsburg-area Ben & Jerry’s stores. Leon has continued his father’s efforts, hosting the fundraiser each fall at his shop in Williamsburg’s Premium Outlets. For every frozen beverage purchased in October, the shop donates 50 cents to the library.
“My father began the tradition of giving to Swem Library,” Leon said. “He believed supporting the college library would have the greatest impact on the students, and I agree. The library plays an important part in helping students do well in their studies.”
The annual fundraiser helps support library staff development, revitalization of Swem’s study spaces and the purchase of books and other library materials.
“We love having partners in the community who want to have a positive impact on William & Mary students, and understand the impact libraries can have on the academic experience,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of University Libraries for the College of William & Mary.
“We are grateful to Leon for continuing the tradition started by his father.”
Leon joined his father in the ice cream business in 1994, but their connection to Ben & Jerry’s stretches back much further. Frank became interested in the company when it went public in 1984. He wanted to test its product, but there were no Ben & Jerry’s shops where he lived in Maryland. He called Leon, who volunteered to drive from his home in New York to the closest store in Vermont for pints of ice cream.
After tasting the ice cream, the entire Salzman family fell in love.
