Whiz Kid: Troy Student's Lemonade Stand Raises Cash for Charity

Tyler Bouque

Ages:  11

School:  Schroeder Elementary School, Troy

Accomplishment: For five years running, Tyler Bouque and his 9-year-old sister, Mallory, have spent a day each summer operating a charity lemonade stand. The Troy siblings' latest effort took place on Wednesday when their stand, dubbed "Lemonade Stand Revolution," raised nearly $500 in donations to benefit Cass Community Social Services, in Detroit.

Tyler and Mallory have raised an average of $150 in donations each year to benefit the organization, which provides housing for homeless individuals, vocational training and employment, food services, medical and mental health services, as well as programming and assistance for at-risk children, youth and seniors. Tyler said this year's proceeds will go to help build outdoor play areas for older children serviced by the organization's shelters.

Key to Awesomeness: Who can resist a lemonade stand staffed by smiling, industrious children? 

Apparently, not many. Tyler and his sister's charity efforts are contagious, as the siblings have helped spread the "Leomonade Stand Revolution" to their friends attending the Vacation Bible School Program held by the , in Birmingham. All told, the stands have squeezed nearly $1,000 in donations prior to Wednesday's sale.

For Tyler, the lemonade stand is all about fun.

“I just love having everyone show up,” he said.

Tyler's mother, Amy Bouque, said the young entrepreneur started his charity enterprise with his sister when he was in 1st grade.  “Every year we’ve had more and more help from friends," she said. "This is the largest group yet.”  

Neighborhood children gathered Wednesday support the lemonade stand and bake sale by holding signs, selling baked goodies and pouring lemonade.

“I’m hoping to top last year,” Tyler said during the sale.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Each week, Troy Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to Kevin Elliott. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)