Across from Trinity Lutheran Church, on the corner of State and W. Main streets in Merrill, every Tuesday and Friday during school vacation, a lemonade stand offers its services. The initiative, which has been running for two years, has been driven by some of the kids of the neighborhood. All the proceeds are headed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, whose mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases through research and treatment.
Megan, 12, Mckenna, 12, Lily, 13, Reese, 10, and Jake, 10, decided to make a difference and also have a whole new experience for the summer. Selling lemonade was an easy and fun way to earn money, and they have reached $500 this summer so far.
“People are so generous. We even receive $20 tips!” they said. “About 75 people come here in a day,” they add. It’s not the first time that they have done this. It all started last year, when they raised $800, which also was donated to Saint Jude’s hospital.
Last Friday, to make the event more entertaining, they all wore dresses while working the stand, boys included.
“It brings attention,” they explained. “It’s fun to hang out and it’s great to make money and learn how to create change. But also, we do it for the kids at Saint Jude’s hospital. They thank us, and helping them is great. It makes you feel good.”
The stand offers regular lemonade, sugar-free and orange.