Meadow View Elementary Students Turn Lemonade Stand Into Fundraiser

PLAINFIELD, IL — Two Meadow View Elementary School students have turned to lemonade-making as a way to raise money for community members.

The two friends, kindergartener Aubrey Kopecky and second-grader Emma Hutchinson, run Aubrey and Emma's LemonAid stand. Most recently, they've collected money and school supplies for Plainfield School District 202 students, according to Tom Hernandez, the district's director of community relations.

"This community has just been phenomenal," said Stacy, Aubrey Kopecky's mom.

The stand grew from a Facebook page, Two Little Hands, One Big Heart. Stacy used the page to help her daughter and her friends raise donations for local families — the first venture being collecting toys to help a girl who was getting bullied at school, according to Hernandez.

Since then, the girls decide what person or organization they want to help, and Stacy manages the transportation and coordination of each event, district officials said.

"If it’s something that pulls at their hearts we do it," Stacy said.

Up next, the girls plan to sell hot chocolate and buy winter coats for those in need.

All proceeds from each event go directly to the person or cause.