The Birkhead family present a donation check to Jarrod Williams, Executive Director at the Spurlino Family YMCA and Shawn Meek, Spurlino Family YMCA Program Director.
When Joe Birkhead IV and his wife Lisa retired from successful careers in the Army, their main criteria for their next chapter in life was that they do something that allowed them to be with their family. With their two children, JoLesa and Joe V, they settled in the Riverview area and started looking for business opportunities that allowed them to stay local and prioritize time with their children.
“We wanted to own something, and do something with the kids” said Lisa. Their search led them to a relatively new start up, Frios Pops. The tie-dyed truck is impossible to miss as it travels around the community offering all natural gourmet ice pops. The Birkheads make the rounds as a family after school and on weekends, often setting up shop at the Spurlino Family YMCA, where they are active members and donors. The entire family works together to serve the frozen treats to kids and adults.
In business a few short months, the Birkheads have already found several ways to give back to the community. In addition to their support of the Y, the family has partnered with the local chamber providing food to the homeless and donating to local Veteran events as well.
“Veterans need to know that your life doesn’t stop after the Army,” said Joe. “You can do great things in the community. Military is not the end. It translates into the civilian world.”