NORTH MYRTLE BEACH (WBTW) — Dominic Munafo knew when he bought Original Painter’s Home Made Ice Cream in 1999 that he was buying a landmark.
Since then, he’s used the store’s reputation as a family favorite and reached out also to some A-list celebrities with his product, including Eric Clapton, Dave Chapelle, B.B. King, and North Myrtle Beach’s very own Vanna White.
“I’m a firm believer: If you’re blessed, you bless others,” said Munafo.
White is one of the first celebrities to support Munafo’s new effort he’s calling “Dominic’s Notebook.” He intends to collect donated school supplies and money to benefit Horry County’s more than 300 children in foster care.
“Everybody’s a dreamer, but I’ve got backing and support of some great people throughout the world,” he said. “We can make this happen.”
He will donate 25 cents from every scoop or cone of butter pecan ice cream Painter’s sells to Dominic’s Notebook. He will also collect supplies at the restaurant, and has set up an account if people would like to donate at First Palmetto Savings Bank.
Munafo reached out to his hometown Baltimore Ravens, and received a shipment of pens, pencils, and other supplies last week.
“You never know who can help you in this world,” he said. “The average man and woman can afford to donate some pencils, can afford to donate some pens. What the kids are getting is not just those pens and pencils. They’re getting shown love.”
Munafo counts his own experience as a blessing and the inspiration to try to help others.
“I was one of the fortunate ones,” he said. “I was adopted at the age of 14 months.”
Instead, he wants to focus on the kids he said may not get a fair chance.
“Most people don’t take time to see the older children (who are in foster care or need adopting),” he said. “They think these kids are already trained in their ways and are untrainable.”
