Lemonade Stand Fundraiser A Fresh Way To Donate To Library

Two summers ago, Huntley residents Stacey Hassels and her twin sister, Laura Laughlin, made a spontaneous decision to run a lemonade stand in their neighborhood, reminiscing on their childhood.

It was nothing formal, just a fun experience to share with their children. Because they live in a low-traffic area, they sent out emails to friends, encouraging them to stop by.

But instead of keeping the $25 they raised for themselves, they generously brought it into the Huntley Area Public Library and offered it as a donation.

After running another lemonade stand last year and donating another $40, the library asked for permission to make their idea into a communitywide fundraiser.

During the week of July 17-23, families around the Huntley area can have their own lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to the library to go toward the children’s books and materials.

“They’re turning it into a Huntley fundraiser which is great,” said Hassels, a mother of three. Her children run the lemonade stand with their cousins, Laughlin’s kids.

If you are interested in running a lemonade stand, call the library at 847-669-5386. Those who donate will have their name on a lemon in the library as part of the summer reading program’s theme “Reading is Sweet.”

“We’re encouraging kids to sign up ahead of time so we can help them be successful,” said Leigh Ann Porsch, communications development coordinator for the library.

“It’s a great learning experience for our kids to help raise money and help other kids,” said Hassels.