Recently my husband and I attended a convention in St. Simons Island, GA and sat with a family at the main dinner with a delightful daughter, 9 years of age. We instantly connected with her and were intrigued at her maturity and wisdom. They shared a special story with us as we ate.
One year ago, 8 year old Alli Swinford decided to create a neighborhood lemonade stand. Customers could purchase cold glasses of lemonade for fifty cents and candy for a nickel. The first day Alli made $16.00. This was just the starting block for her goal of $1,000.oo to donate to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital in Memphis after watching a video about the hospital at her school Varnell Elementary. The video was part of Math-A-Thon which is an event held at the school in early spring. Students are encourage to raise money to help children and Alli decided she wanted to help but on her own terms. "I wanted to do it on my own and take my time and raise as much money as I could" she said. During the summer, she thought things over and then approached her Dad, Bobby with her plan. Her parents agreed if she actually met her goal of $1,000.oo they would drive her to Memphis to deliver the funds in person. That promise was all she needed.
Alli started with a lemonade stand putting up a sign that said "Lemonade for Life", Alli insisted on doing most of the work herself, only using a little help from her Mom, Jessica and her Grandmother "Nana". Her Nana made lemonade for her and "Mom made it one time and it wasn't that good", she said.
When the weather turned too cold for lemonade, Alli asked her Mother what else could she do. Her parents then realized how serious Alli was in her quest. Her great-grandmother recycled cans and she said "I can do that"! Alli also took on doing housework dusting and vacuuming for an average of $5 per week. She also placed donation jars at restaurants. Even her big brother Josh donated the $20 he earned mowing the lawn as he was impressed with her efforts.
Alli credits her determination with a verse from the Bible her parents would always read to their kids when they were little, "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you", so that is what she said to herself when things got hard.
Alli met her goal and her parents drove her to Memphis. She was too young to be able to enter the hospital beyond the waiting room, so they asked for her to just leave the donation at the office, Alli told the staff she wanted to hand it to the one in charge, so they met in front of the hospital and Alli handed over an envelope full of money. "Every dollar counts because all those patients need it", she said.
Alli has decided to continue raising funds for St. Judes Hospital. To donate call 706-217-8079. Alli's parents are very proud and humbled by their daughter. "It just lets you know that with the faith of a child you can do many things".
Alli has decided that when she grows up she wants to raise money for kids. "It makes me feel so good inside", she said.