Illinois

Fundraiser for elderly frozen treat seller tops $250,000

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Fidencio Sanchez, smiles after receiving a monetary donation from Elizabeth Salgado, Monday, Sept.12, 2016, in Chicago. What began as a small effort to help out Sanchez, who was spotted pushing a paleta cart and selling the frozen treats to help pay bills has brought in more than $250,000 in just four days. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)

Elizeth Arguelles gives Paleteria Poncho pushcart vendor, Fidencio Sanchez, a hug after purchasing a paleta Monday, Sept.12, 2016, in Chicago. What began as a small effort to help out Sanchez, who was spotted pushing a paleta cart and selling the frozen treats to help pay bills has brought in more than $250,000 in just four days. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)

Fidencio Sanchez pushes his cart down the street, Monday, Sept.12, 2016, in Chicago. What began as a small effort to help out Sanchez, who was spotted pushing a paleta cart and selling the frozen treats to help pay bills has brought in more than $250,000 in just four days. (Alyssa Pointer/Chicago Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)

What began as a small effort to help out an 89-year-old Chicago man who was spotted pushing a paleta cart and selling the frozen treats to help pay bills has brought in more than $250,000 in just four days.

Joel Cervantes Macias launched the online fundraiser on GoFundMe for "Fidencio the paleta man" Friday with a goal of $3,000. A paleta is Mexican treat similar to a Popsicle. The fundraising page shows more than a quarter-million dollars raised from more than 11,000 people as of early Tuesday morning.

Fidencio Sanchez told the Chicago Tribune through a translator Monday the money means his paleta-selling days may be over and that he "will be able to rest more at home."