At just 13-years-old Madison Lee pedals a freezer full of ice cream an estimated three to four miles per day, saving up for her future.
“All my friends are like, ‘It’s not cool that you have to work at a young age," Lee said. “But it feels really nice to know that I am very young and working.”
While her friends got busy planning their summer breaks last week, Lee prepared for a profitable season’s work.
“They call me 'Sault’s Ice Cream Girl,'” she said.
Stocked with $1 to $2 Klondike bars, ice cream sandwiches, Sunday cones, fudge bars, cream bars and more Lee begins her day at 1 p.m. She takes a break from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and heads back out until around 9 p.m.
Her random routes cover a few blocks south of Easterday Avenue, and east of Ashmun Street. Lee does not actually track her mileage, wide eyes focused a much longer distance.
“Sault’s Ice Cream Girl” has big dreams of moving out west to the “City of Angels,” where she will study to work in animation.
“The money is being saved to go into my savings account for college,” she said.
In the meantime, Lee still enjoys her summer hanging out with friends and family. She plays point guard on the girl’s basketball team at Sault Area Middle School during the school year, and studies martial arts at Lake Superior State University. She is also a bit of a shopper.
Going into the eighth grade, Lee can already juggle work, friends, hobbies and family.
This is not Lee’s first summer trip around town. It all began last year when her grandfather prepared a bicycle, and ice cream cart.
“My grandpa goes out and buys the ice cream, and fixes up the bike,” said Lee, thanking him for all his support.
The next time you hear songs like “Mary had a Little Lamb” or "Do Your Ears Hang Low?" Lee could be heading down your street with inexpensive treats to cool you off under the blazing sun of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
