Mike's Ice Cream Donated Daily Sales to Staffer Family
The Nashville business will dedicate full proceeds from one day to the family of a former employee following a fatal accident.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy
Following the death of shift leader Gita Cahyani after a scooter accident on Demonbreun Street, Mike's Ice Cream has pledged to donate 100% of its daily sales on October 15, 2026, to her family. Cahyani, who moved to Nashville from Bali, worked at the shop for six months before she died on October 6, 2026.
Why it matters
The tragedy highlights the challenges faced by international workers supporting families abroad, as coworkers mobilize support through a GoFundMe campaign and employer-led charitable action.
Mike's Ice Cream is donating 100% of its sales on October 15, 2026, to assist the family of Gita Cahyani, who had served as a shift leader at the business for six months.
The players
Mike's Ice Cream
A Nashville-based retail ice cream business.
Gita Cahyani
A former shift leader at Mike's Ice Cream who moved to Nashville from Bali.
The details
Gita Cahyani suffered a fatal head injury after falling from a scooter on Demonbreun Street while commuting to her shift at Mike's Ice Cream on October 5, 2026. Following her death the next day, the company organized a one-day sales event to provide financial support for her family in Bali, Indonesia. Coworkers have also established a GoFundMe to assist with ongoing expenses for the family.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Cahyani fell from a scooter on Demonbreun Street.
October 6, 2026: Cahyani died from her injuries.
October 15, 2026: Mike's Ice Cream donates total sales to the family.
Market Landscape
The retail community frequently engages in crisis-driven fundraising following employee losses to demonstrate social responsibility. This action mirrors local efforts to bridge gaps in financial support for families of international staff working in the service sector.
Business owners should ensure their crisis response plans account for both potential staff support needs and effective coordination with external donation platforms. Operators should verify that any charitable sales event is clearly documented for tax and accounting purposes before implementation.
The takeaway
Supporting the family of a deceased employee often requires immediate, structured corporate action that can be easily communicated to the public. Management should prioritize clear, transparent timelines for any charitable pledge to ensure community participation is effectively directed.
Further reading
For additional insights into how businesses engage with community causes, visit Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF).
