NEW YORK, USA — What started as a preschooler’s innocent love for SpongeBob and popsicles turned into a frozen financial headache for one family and a viral act of generosity.
Four-year-old Noah Ruiz, a fan of both SpongeBob SquarePants and icy treats, managed to order 918 SpongeBob-themed popsicles—51 cases worth—through his mom’s Amazon Prime account. The total bill: just under $2,619.
“51, 51…” and Three 70-Pound Boxes
Noah’s mom, Jennifer Bryant, said she first noticed her son repeating the number “51” throughout the day but didn’t think much of it.
Noah, who has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often repeats numbers and phrases.
Jennifer realised what had happened after receiving a frantic call from her sister, who shares the Amazon account and was stunned to find three 70-pound boxes of popsicles delivered to her door.
“She was fussing and cussing, and she said to me, ‘You really need to stop ordering all this stuff,’” Jennifer recalled.
A quick investigation revealed that Noah had accidentally placed the massive order while using Jennifer’s laptop for remote learning.
A Costly Mistake and a Generous Response
The popsicles, ordered from a third-party vendor, were non-refundable. With tuition bills for her NYU graduate program looming, Jennifer was overwhelmed.
“I had no idea how I was going to pay for it,” she said.
A friend and fellow student stepped in to help, launching a GoFundMe campaign to cover the unexpected expense.
The response was overwhelming. Within 24 hours, the fundraiser paid off the popsicle bill, and donations continued pouring in far beyond the initial goal.
Turning a Frozen Setback Into Opportunity
Jennifer plans to use the extra funds to support Noah’s education and therapy, with hopes of enrolling him in a specialised school for children on the autism spectrum.
“This has turned into such a blessing,” Jennifer said, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support.
As for the 918 popsicles? They melted within two days, but Noah remains unfazed. His real dream, he says, is to meet SpongeBob SquarePants in person.
While the frozen treats didn’t last, the generosity of strangers has created opportunities for Noah that will endure far beyond his brief popsicle spree.
