***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
The kindergarten students at Wethersfield Elementary recently proved that you’re never too young to make a big impact.
With hand-drawn signs, smiles and plenty of lemonade, the class hosted a fundraiser that brought the community together and raised $633 for the local Food Pantry.
Guided by their teachers, Shelly Gomez and Kyria Eastman, the students took part in every step of the process — from designing colorful posters to mixing and serving the lemonade to long lines of thirsty supporters.
But the two teachers said that beyond the sweetness of the drink, the stand was a valuable lesson in teamwork, generosity and community service.
“We talked with the students about how we would work together to make and sell our lemonade,” said Gomez. “They practiced patience, took turns during their 15-minute shifts, and worked hard to serve customers before enjoying any themselves. It was especially rewarding to watch their expressions as they handed out lemonade— they were genuinely happy to help others.”
The goal of the project extended far beyond the classroom.
“Our main goal was to provide a way for young students to give back to our community,” Gomez said. “Selling lemonade is an iconic childhood experience, and we wanted to show them that a little hard work toward a common goal can really help others.”
Eastman said the experience was a powerful one for the students.
“The students were amazed at how many people we served. We talked beforehand about serving over 800 people the previous year, but seeing it happen in real life blew their minds.”
Managing that energy took a team effort, and the teachers were quick to credit classroom aides for keeping spirits high and students engaged with activities like bubbles and sidewalk cheering.
The lemonade stand even drew special visitors from the community — including local paramedics and firefighters — who stopped by to show their support.
There were teachable moments, too.
“Some cups spilled,” Eastman said, “but we used that moment to show the kids that mistakes happen — it’s okay. We just fill more cups and keep going.”
The class celebrated their hard work by learning how their efforts would benefit local families.
“We discussed how the money would help many people in our town,” said Gomez. “No one asked to keep the money for themselves, which really shows how much they took this to heart.”
The decision to donate the funds to the food pantry was a thoughtful one.
“We had heard the pantry was serving more families than ever,” said Eastman. “We knew how much they give to our community, and we loved the idea of giving back to them.”
Thanks to the generosity of those who stopped by the stand and the dedication of a group of young changemakers, the Wethersfield kindergarten class proved that kindness, when served with a smile and a cup of lemonade, can make a meaningful difference.
