Macaroni KID Acadia-St. Landry likes to share more than just local events; we also want to share the good news in our community and recognize those that make a positive impact. So when we heard about what these two young do-gooders accomplished we had to recognize them as our MacaroniKID Kool Kids!
Lemonade stands are a popular avenue for young kids to raise a little money during the summer. It's a great way for them to learn valuable life skills and earn money, usually for something fun or save up for something they really desire.
Annalyse and her younger brother Lucas decided to host a lemonade stand, but for a much greater cause than a shiny new toy. They set up their lemonade shop inside St. Landry Lumber in Opelousas. With much support and help from the store owner, family and friends and local organizer Mike Soileau of FUNraisers of St. Jude they were able to organize a successful fundraiser that generated a line of thirsty patrons outside of the store on Friday.
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"My little girl has the biggest heart, so when she mentioned having a lemonade stand for fun, the initial idea probably absorbed from a cartoon or TV show. Anyway, it’s hot out here in Louisiana and their grandfather 'Pop' owns a local (and more importantly, air-conditioned!) lumberyard/outdoors sportsmen store with lots of foot traffic and great, supportive employees! We figured it was the perfect spot to set up shop for comfort and exposure. I knew we were in a place to make this larger with an opportunity to publicize and make noise for a greater good"
Annalyse and Lucas' mom, Laurie Perkins shared with us.
"There’s so much wrong with our world. Our priorities are just not where they ought to be, so any chance to be an example of good and kindness, I want my kids to see it and do it!" She added.
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Laurie was hoping they could raise $200-$300 for the charity organization, but with some helping hands and insight from Mike Soileau she soon learned their lemonade shop stood greater potential.
Annalyse and Lucas's grandmother, who also works at the family business, pinterested a pallet stand to pitch in for the idea and Garrett Pythian, a store employee, crafted it. Help also came from Eleanor Soileau, daughter of employee Emily Soileau, whom Laurie credited for her eye in design. Wyatt Lanclos, son of employee Patrick Lanclos also came to lend a hand and through a team effort the stand came together flawlessly.
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"In addition to our own children, Lucas and Annalyse, we had the help of two adorable faces and it took off!" said Laurie. "We also had a very special visitor stop by, a St. Jude patient residing in Church Point!
By the end of it Annalyse, Lucas, Eleanor and Wyatt successfully raised just a little over $3,000 and every dollar will go towards helping St. Jude patients and their families as well as cancer research!
