The key to opening a successful “Lemon Aid” stand for a good cause is having a good business partner.
So, young Hannah “Bob” Hawk teamed up a year ago with neighborhood friend Safiya Nazerali. The two entrepreneurs sold enough lemonade to buy Hannah a hamster, then gave the rest of their earnings to the local Humane Society.
This year, Hannah and Safiya, both 11, diversified their business. In addition to selling lemonade, they added brownies, washable tattoos and face-painting sessions. It paid off and they garnered $72; all of which they donated to Pullman Regional Hospital.
“For children in need,” Safiya said.
The money went toward the purchase of a fetal heart rate monitor for BirthPlace at Pullman Regional Hospital. BirthPlace has been recognized with a Women’s Choice Award in 2014 in overall patient satisfaction. Their donation has made the girls feel...
“Really good,” Safiya said.
“Awesome,” Hannah added.
Hannah, the daughter of Jenny Hawk and Safiya, the daughter of Mick and Cindy Nazerali, will be sixth-graders at Lincoln Middle School this year. They said they have been best friends since they were about six.
Their idea for a philanthropic lemonade stand grew out of Hannah's desire to get Monster Fuzz, a pet hamster that is now more than a year old. This year, Hannah and Safiya decided to direct all their profits toward Birthplace. Hospital CEO Scott Adams and Chief Development Officer Reuben Mayes accepted the donation in what the girls said was an unexpected little ceremony with pictures and applause.
“We're probably going to do it again next year,” Hannah said.
“And give to the kids department (BirthPlace) again,” Safiya added.
The girls stationed their Lemon Aid stand on the corner by Hannah's house in Pullman. Prior to opening, they distributed fliers throughout the neighborhood. Then they set up a table, erected a sign and for two hours on two hot days in July they conducted business, mixing lemonade in the house and selling it for 50 cents a glass at curbside.
“My grandpa bought, and so did the neighbors,” Safiya said. Even a police officer stopped at the stand to donate. The girls let everybody know the money was going to the hospital.
“There were a lot of people,” Safiya said.
The water balloons, Hannah added, were big sellers at 50 cents a pop and most were used in water fights that ensued shortly after purchase.
“We got a little wet,” Safiya said. “A lot of kids from the neighborhood came around and just hung out.”
“And they helped out, too,” said Hannah.
Donating their earnings to a place where kids get their start in life, Hannah and Safiya said, just seemed like the right thing to do and they hope to make more money next time around.
“Because,” Hannah said, “it's like helping the future.”