Hurricane Relief lemonade stand

This Saturday, my daughters will have a lemonade stand like they did last week, but this week will benefit the Houston Food Bank and those directly affected by Hurricane Harvey. We are opening this Go Fund Me page so that our friends and family - any anyone else who is able - can participate in their support of the disaster.   Please share this page with your friends and donate what you can.  If  200 people donate $5.00 each, we can reach our $1,000 goal and help to show not only my daughters, but also their peers what a difference you can make if you take action.  

Or, if you have kids, have them set up a lemonade stand this Saturday and donate to a Hurricane relilef fund of their choice!  

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My name is Kate and I live in Alaska.  We are about as far away from Texas as one can get in the United states, but we don't see that as a reason to not get involved!  I have done some research and we have chosen the Houston Food bank because they are already within the communities affected which will mean that a greater portion of the money donated will go directly to those affected.   All funds raised through this campaign will go directly to the Houston Food Bank.

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The past few weeks have been tumultous in the United States.  I haven't posted in social media about the goings on, but have prefered instead to focus on my children and educating them so that they chose to speak up when others remain quiet.  I want them to not only be good citizens, but to help spread goodness and educate others in the face of a lot of controversy and, at times, discouragement.   We have talked about discrimiation a lot, and about what we can do to speak up and have made plans about actions we can continue every day. Now, Hurricane Harvey is affecting so many in our country and it is time for them to be involved in this as well. 

Last weekend, we had a lemonade stand on a whim.  It was unexpectedly bright and sunny, and at 8 and 12, my daughters haven't really ever had one.  I am a supporter of small business, and I believe this is a good way to teach them about all of the nuances of industry.  They made $33.00 in a few hours.  

This coming weekend, they have agreed to donate their proceeds to the Houston Food Bank.  Their excitement has increased exponentially, and with more planning and signage, we hope we can net at least $100 of our $1,000 goal from the stand itself.    I will be donating all of the supplies, oh-so-many lemons...and a lot of juicing!

My 12-year-old found out yesterday that her final elective this year is 'community service.'  She is somewhat shy but has a tremendously giving heart.   She was tentative about her class until I explained how excited I am that she will start to get involved at a young age, and all of the benefits to the community and to her, personally. This seems like a logical step to jump start her involvement!   Unlike her sister, my 8-year-old is outspoken and outgoing and is naturally very inclusive.  These are skills which need to be cultivated and encouraged so that they can look forward to living in a better enviroment than we live in today!

I would encourage all of you to find ways - even small ones - to take actions other than voicing your opinions.  Stop waiting to be spoon-fed information about what it is that you can do to help.  Put some thought into what you want the future to look like and then make movement toward it.