4-Year-Old Starts Lemonade Stand To Raise Money For Charity

LINDENHURST, NY - Most kids might be using their summer break to relax or play, but one Lindenhurst 4-year-old has been using his free time to raise over $600 for Wounded Warriors.

Last year, Jayden Magliaro got a chance to meet several Wounded Warriors that were staying at the Marriott in Farmingdale where his father, Louis Magliaro, works on occasion.

"They made such an impression on him that he immediately asked if he could do something for them next time," his mother, Donna Magliaro said.

So this year Jayden, with help from his parents, decided to do a lemonade, iced tea, and snack sale to raise money for the Wounded Warrior project.

The family then went back to the hotel on Friday July 20 before the warrior ride to bring water, granola bars, and chips to the warriors who were staying at the hotel. In that time, Jayden had raised the $600 and was able to present a check to show them.

Since that day, other's have mailed and dropped off donations and he has currently collected a total of $700 for the non-profit. His story even reached The Wounded Warrior Project and they shared it on their Facebook page.

"He is so excited and his father Louis and I couldn't be more proud of his selflessness," Donna said. "Even better, he wants to do it again!! We look forward to it."

According to Donna, the Lindenhurst community really came together to help her son.

Several residents created Facebook posts to get his sale out there and several local neighbors came by and met him.

Others came by just to donate and others came by to buy a little something and donate.

"People in the community were sending their family and friends who could come by. We met wonderful people that day," she said. "We had a woman give Jayden one of her daughters ARMY training t-shirts and a retired NYPD officer gave him an NYPD pin that he wore the entire day"

The charity is important to the Magliaros, given that they have several active Marines in the family, one of Jayden's aunts is an Army Veteran and Donna's grandfather was a Marine and Iwo Jima survivor.

"It's a great feeling to be able to show support," she said.

Both of Jayden's parents were extremely proud of their son to show "such selflessness."

"He knows this money will go to people that got hurt and never once asked to go buy anything for himself," Donna said. "We want to teach our son that although me not have a lot, there are others that have less. We also wanted to show him that a little act of kindness can make a huge impact on others."

The family hopes that it encourages other children to take a little time out and do for others.

Following the success of the first fundraiser, Jayden wants to do it again and the family hope that it blows up bigger and better than ever.

Photos courtesy of Donna Magliaro