Every Little Bit Helps: 9-year-old Sells Lemonade to Raise Money for Detroit Parks

Aug 1, 2012

The city of Detroit has a deficit of more than $100 million, but 9-year-old Joshua Smith wants to do everything he can to help close that gap and improve the parks in his neighborhood. So, he’s set up a lemonade stand.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Smith knew the city was in trouble when the grass at a nearby park grew almost as tall as him. He then heard about the city’s financial crisis on the radio and decided to take action.

Lemonade Stand in Detroit

Photo: Jim Johnson

Smith plans to man his lemonade stand from 5 to 8 p.m. through this Friday, August 3, 2012. Though his exact location wasn’t disclosed, if you happen to drive by Smith’s lemonade stand, stop and show your support.

You can also donate money to the city of Detroit by visiting the city teller on the first floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Donated money goes to the general fund unless a department is specified. Smith has expressed that he wants the money he raises to go towards improvements to the parks in his community.

For the full Detroit Free Press article about this amazing boy, click here.

More articles like this one…

What’s New

U-Haul Volunteers Serve Dinner to People in Need at Andre House

U-Haul Volunteers Serve Dinner to People in Need at Andre House

U-Haul Team Members prepared and served 562 meals on Feb. 11 at André House, helping to feed Phoenix’s homeless population and other guests seeking a hot meal. The local nonprofit helps those in need by providing meals, showers and more at no cost. One of the...

U-Haul Climbs South Mountain, Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

U-Haul Climbs South Mountain, Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

More than 50 U-Haul Team Members woke early on Feb. 22 to scale a 5.5-mile route up and down South Mountain’s Summit Road in Phoenix, Ariz. This quest was more than some Saturday morning exercise routine. It was a climb for a cause: the fight against cancer. U-Haul...

Jay Harris Honored as 2024 U-Haul Volunteer of the Year

Jay Harris Honored as 2024 U-Haul Volunteer of the Year

Jay Harris, program manager for the U-Haul Digital Asset Management team, has always loved giving back and serving others. “I started out volunteering as a kid by tagging along with my mom at the local Ronald McDonald House,” Harris said. “Since then, I’ve made it a...

U-Haul Growth Index: Alberta Top Province, Calgary Top City of 2024

U-Haul Growth Index: Alberta Top Province, Calgary Top City of 2024

Alberta is the leading Canadian growth province for the second straight year, according to U-Haul® Growth Index data analyzing for one-way customer transactions during 2024. Alberta’s two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, are also the top two growth cities in...

U-Haul Growth Index: South Carolina Named Top Growth State of 2024

U-Haul Growth Index: South Carolina Named Top Growth State of 2024

The trend of southern states netting larger numbers of one-way U-Haul® customers continued during 2024, with South Carolina topping the U-Haul Growth Index for the first time. Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee round out the five leading growth states....