“Do good always and share with others. These sacrifices please God." ~ Hebrews 13:16
The term ‘entrepreneur’ conjures
up images of experienced, successful individuals who arrived at a point in
their lives when they felt confident to take new risks and face new challenges.
But for some kids, the spirit of ‘free’
enterprise catches on at an early age.
When Wyatt first saw the parade of motorcycles passing his
family’s home, he got a refreshing idea to attract some of the thousands of
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally riders. In 2019,
with a huge flag, a clever sales pitch, and cuteness factor way off the charts,
he opened a ‘free’ lemonade stand to raise some money to buy himself a
rocket-ship Lego set.
He loves people; especially the bikers. Apparently, they love him back.
Some took the lemonade he offered in exchange for a
donation. Others just stuffed $5, $10,
and $20 bills into his donation jar.
Soon he’d collected enough money to get his toy building blocks… and
give $200 to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
The 8-year-old’s stand became a
must-stop destination for many attending this year’s 81st Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally. Earnings skyrocketed
thanks to thousands of shares on social media and even national news coverage
of his efforts.
It did more than make money –
it’s hoping to change lives.
He reportedly donated over
$31,000 to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel,
housing or food – “because all a family should worry about is helping their
child live.”
Treatments invented at St. Jude have
helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than
80% since it opened more than 50 years ago.
They won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Touched by his efforts, two local
riding groups banded together to surprise the ‘Kidpreneur’ with a dirt bike. The rest went into his college fund.
Wyatt Dennis, the Lemonade Kid,
is now a Rock Star. But let’s not forgot
the kid’s amazing parents, Robin and Devin, who saw an opportunity to encourage
hard work and help teach empathy and social responsibility to their son.
“We warned Wyatt that he alone would
have to work the stand,” his Mom insisted.
“We agreed to be there, but he had to wave the customers in and serve
the lemonade.” Dad suggested that he
shouldn’t keep all the money for himself, but did let Wyatt pick the charity.
He dreams big, so look out because his
goal for 2022 will likely be even bigger.
