It's National Lemonade Day!

There's something about lemonade that says a lot about life. It's tart, so you are reminded of the bitterness in the world, but it's sweet and yellow so you feel motivated and energized and hopeful. When I learned that $1 can give clean water for a person for one year, then I felt powerful. I felt I can change lives and I didn't feel like waiting to grow up to do it. 

Once I felt that power of a simple cup of lemonade, I didn't want to stop. No action felt too small. I started adding a "giving" element into everything I did. If me or my friends were having a birthday, we turned it into a PhilanthroParty and asked for donations instead of presents.  That pair of earrings I gave up,( and would have lost anyway), equaled 10 years of water?!  Bar Mitzvahs, School Dances, and backyard talent shows all became more fun and meaningful if we gave them the Lemon:Aid twist and sold lemonade or snacks to help Blood:Water Mission. I asked local stores to sell yellow items and donate a percentage. I asked my mom's hair salon to set up a permanent lemonade stand in their waiting area. I asked restaurants to designate lemon flavored items and donate a percentage. I asked local bands to perform in my back yard and sold tickets.

What started off as a simple lemonade stand has totally taken over my life. I see hope everywhere. I see opportunity all the time. And it all started out at the foot of my driveway with a pitcher of lemonade, a hand made sign, and some cups.



~ Lulu Cerone, Los Angeles, CA
Lulu founded a group of young philanthropists called the Lemon:Aid warriors and has been raising money for Blood:Water Mission projects for the last 2 years. Her perseverance and dedication to promoting everyday selfless acts to help others is an inspiration to us all. To learn more about Lulu visit her website for Lemon:Aid Warriors.

We'll leave you with a poem Lulu wrote when she was just 11-years-old and started dreaming of the possibilities of a simple cup of lemonade. 

Lemon:Aid Recipe.

I make lemonade with my heart. 
My heart tells me there are thirsty people in Africa. 
There are thirsty people here, who have clean water to drink.
But I will make them lemonade and my lemonade will help our friends in Africa.

Start with a lemon.  

A hand picked, golden, plump lemon that ideally comes from your backyard. 
It represents the hard work and and nurturing that you gave it to grow.

Squeeze the lemon and the tangy scent of citrus will remind you of summer and send you to paradise. 
Turn on the tap and the let cool water trickle out. 
Take a grateful moment to realize that the luxury of instant, pure water at your fingertips is a privilege that millions of people do not enjoy.

Finally, the sugar. Candy coat the tart lemon juice. The sweetness will wash away the bitter tragedy in Africa.
Watch the sugar fall like snow, cooling the terrible heat. 
Dissolve the sugar with the wooden spoon and imagine the troubles far off in Africa dissolving and being replaced by relief.
When you drink Lemon:Aid you will quench your thirst. 
When you sell you Lemon:Aid you will quench a thirsty nation.

Order your Lemon:Aid kit TODAY on NATIONAL LEMONADE DAY to host your own stand!