Lemonade Stands Give Kids A Chance To Support Worthy Causes

It has been said that when life hands you lemons, you should make lemonade. A popular charitable endeavor is taking that idea to a whole new level, with youngsters raising money to support a variety of worthy causes--one glass of lemonade at a time.

Now in its fourth year, an award-winning program encourages kids to give back to their community by raising money for a charity of their choice through a good old-fashioned, freshly squeezed lemonade sale.

Never underestimate the power of our kids wanting to give back, say Sunkist Growers. As part of their Take a Stand® program, kids have written in wanting to raise money for local charities and national causes, including Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, America's Second Harvest and many others.

Over the past three years, the company has sent out more than 14,000 free lemonade stands, recipe cards and juicer kits to help kids get started. Since the inception of Take a Stand, it is estimated that more than $1.5 million has been raised for charity by kids, one glass at a time. Last year, 11,000 pledges were received, with kids writing in from every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada.

"Sunkist has taken a traditional summertime ritual and given it more meaning by having kids think beyond what they want for themselves," said Billy Dean, Grammy®-winning country artist and national Take a Stand spokesperson.

Inspired by the thousands of kids who are responding to the company's call to action, Dean has written a song titled "Take a Stand," which will be integrated throughout the campaign.

STANDING PROUD

With a good location and neighborhood support, kids can make their lemonade stands a success. A stand does not need to be elaborate; a card table, chair, a giant sign and some balloons still do the trick. To help kids get started, Sunkist offers "Lemonade For Sale" signs, a sales tracker and a guide on how to price lemonade--all for free on its Web site.

In addition, to help young entrepreneurs get their lemonade stands off the ground, the company's citrus growers offer this tried-and-true recipe:

REAL OLD-FASHIONED LEMONADE

Makes 12 servings

14 Sunkist® lemons

2 cups sugar, or to taste

8 cups cold water

Ice cubes

1. Using a hand or electric juicer, squeeze the juice from 12 of the lemons.

2. In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice and sugar; stir to dissolve the sugar.

3. Cut remaining lemons into cartwheel slices.

4. Add lemon slices and cold water and blend well.

5. Pour over ice and serve.

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About The Author, Wendy Mitchell
For more recipes and tips, visit www.sunkist.com/takeastand.Children can help support a variety of worthy causes by setting up lemonade stands.