This weekend, my 6-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old best buddy decided they wanted to support Earth Day by honoring their 4th grade friends who founded G.R.E.E.N. (Get Ready for Green Education Now) with an iced tea and lemonade fundraiser. I was quite happy to accommodate them since there was no way around their infectious giddiness to help out and get involved. Their pursuit to raise money on a spring break weekend while many of their friends were out of town impressed me. They were out to do good and thrilled to do so.

After making their signs out of brown paper bags, arranging the fruit bowls, preparing the lemonade and honey-sweetened peppermint tea, setting up their table and umbrella, and encouraging each car to stop, I was stunned at how few passersby actually did. The girls looked at one another in disgust while car after car flew by without stopping, and they began shout even louder. Thankfully several local police officers, a few really nice bikers, and a couple of cars ladened with kids cheering for lemonade all patronized the stand. With smiles and abounding energy, each took turns explaining where the proceeds were headed; the innocent patrons didn’t know who they were dealing with! As each used cup went into the makeshift brown paper bag garbage pail, one of girls would immediately add that tips were welcome (despite a reprimand from me!), all of which would also go to G.R.E.E.N.  Now who could resist that?!

After 1 1/2 hours, the gals made an impressive amount and had me directly drive them to their friend's home to present the donation. I have never seen my daughter so diligently approach a task like this and was very impressed with the determination of both of them. Neither of them gave up when at the beginning no one wanted to be bothered. Rule of thumb: Always stop to support and encourage a child selling lemonade, and you may just witness their joy in supporting a worthy cause. Don’t get caught up with the minutia—just keep it simple and joyful!