A Lemonade Stand for Shoeboxes in South Carolina
Laurie Hanson — mother of two in Elgin, South Caronlina — had no idea the lemonade stand her 7-year-old daughter started in 2007 would turn into a project that impacts the lives of hundreds of children around the world each year.
This simple lemonade stand and its global impact began when Laurie’s daughter Grace learned about Operation Christmas Child — a global project that hand-delivers millions of gift-filled shoe box to needy kids. Grace wanted to pack 21 boxes; but with the tough economy, her mother Laurie didn’t know how to pay for the toys, school supplies, and hygiene items needed to fill the box.
That’s when they decided to sell lemonade. One Saturday morning, Grace and her friends got up early, put on their homemade aprons and hair bows, and served lemonade at a neighborhood garage sale. In five hours, the girls made 74 dollars, and their efforts were covered by a local news station.
After seeing the kids on TV, a manager of a local grocery store invited them to set up their stand outside his store. That year, Grace and her friends made enough money to double their goal and packed shoe box gifts for 42 kids they had never met.
"We have lemonade stands to help kids all over the world who don't have anything,” said Grace. "I feel good when I imagine the kids opening their boxes of goodies and smiling."
Today, the “Lemonade Gang” — as they are known — is a neighborhood staple. Since 2007, these young kids have raised more than $5,000 and packed more than 330 shoe box gifts for needy kids worldwide. Each year, they hold 3 to 6 lemonade stands, involving 30 kids, at nearby grocery stores and the local Wal-Mart. In the fall, they have a huge shoe box packing party.
This year the Lemonade Gang hopes to pack more than 200 shoe box gifts for Operation Christmas Child. And, they are well on their way to this goal. On Memorial Day weekend, their first lemonade stand of 2010 made close to $1,000.
“Selling lemonade to benefit Operation Christmas Child is a fun and inexpensive way to show your kids they can make a difference in the lives of others,” said Laurie. “It’s an opportunity to show them how to share Christ’s love with others.” This year Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project — plans to hand-deliver 8.2 million shoe box gifts to needy kids in 100 countries
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Wow! I am so inspired by what these children have done. Watch the video to see interviews with Laurie Hanson and some of the kids involved.
Remember that this week is National Collection Week for the OCC shoe boxes. As my friend OhAmanda shared this week, this shoe box may be the ONLY present the recipient gets. EVER. I have shed tears over the two shoe boxes I delivered to church this morning for two little preteen girls. I don't think twice before dropping $25 on some clothes for my toddler ... and yet $25 worth of toys and headbands and school supplies might make a difference in a child's life.
A little lemonade can go a long way! --Jessie, Resident Blog Guru
