A couple of weeks ago, Bridgeport streets were peppered with lemonade stands. The pop-up refreshment stands – all manned by kiddos – coincided with the citywide yard sale. I thought it was cool enough when I found out my grandkids and their friends were among the pint-sized entrepreneurs. But when I found out they were raising money for charity – as were dozens of other stands around the city – I was quite impressed.

 

Some of the setups were quite creative, but more importantly, the kids standing behind them took their mission quite seriously.

 

Kayla Griffin said when the July 21 torrential rainfall flooded Upshur and Lewis Counties, her kids – 7-year-old Wrenley and 5-year-old Leo – decided to donate their earnings to flood relief.

 

“We looked at several relief efforts, but they chose to give their money to a specific family that was affected,” she said. “They helped choose what they were going to sell, helped bake the cookies and pepperoni rolls, and make the lemonade. They also made signs and cleaned their stand. We let them do all the work during the actual sale as well. We just supervised.”

 

Cindy Tetrick said her 6-year-old granddaughter Piper has quite an interest in sea turtles and understands that once they hatch on shore at night, it is important that their journey back to the water not be interrupted by humans.

 

“Also, we as a family have been working to instill ‘giving back’ to our community or charity in need of support,” Tetrick said. “With that, she researched the National Turtle Conservatory and saw that sea turtles are considered ‘sadly’ endangered species.”

 

Piper was excited to have an opportunity to raise money for the charity and was able to send $410 to the cause.

 

Donna Bonenburger, a sixth-grader at Bridgeport Middle School, brought together friends to host a lemonade stand that also included soft drinks and snacks. It was easy for her to decide to donate the proceeds to the Humane Society of Harrison County.

 

“I love animals and wanted to help them,” she said. Our goal was $30 and we made $52. Everyone worked hard. I am thankful for the donations.”

 

Donna said she plans to do the fundraiser again during next year’s citywide yard sale.

 

“It was fun to organize it with my friends, and we do want to do it again to help the animals,” she said.

 

See some of the many lemonade/refreshments stands hosted Aug. 1 in the gallery below. Photos are courtesy of parents and by Donalyn Harris.