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

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.

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.

Season of Giving: U-Haul Helps Arizona Charities at Christmas

Santa’s “nice list” in Arizona grew especially long this past holiday season, as U-Haul® Team Members and their families throughout the Valley cheerfully donated their time and resources to help those less fortunate. Team Members filled the month of December with...

Planting Detroit: U-Haul funds Tree planting in Rouge Park

Through funding from U-Haul and U-Haul customers to The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program, 450 trees were planted in Rouge Park in Detroit on September 28. The volunteers came by foot, cars, buses and planes - nearly 200 of them, to plant 450 trees in the...

Community Improvement detroit Detroit Revitalization Fundraising In the News parks

What’s New

Migration Trends 2024 Midyear Report: Origins of U-Haul Trucks Arriving in the 25 Most Populated U.S. Cities

Wondering where those new neighbors came from in the U-Haul truck? With summer moving season at its peak, chances are you have seen a U-Haul moving truck pull into your neighborhood in recent weeks. After all, nearly half of all residential moves in a calendar year...

Community Service: U-Haul Volunteers Lend a Hand at St. Mary’s Food Bank

More than 30 U-Haul volunteers came together on July 13 to pack emergency food boxes at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix. The nonprofit is Arizona’s largest food bank and provides over 250,000 meals a day to families facing food insecurity. U-Haul, headquartered in...

30 Days Free Storage: U-Haul Relief Offer for Flood Victims in St. Louis Metro, Branson

U-Haul® is providing 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at 12 stores across the St. Louis metro area to residents impacted by flooding. Additionally, a 13th Missouri store has been made available to assist flood victims in the...

Tornado Recovery: U-Haul Extends Disaster Relief across Chicago

58 stores across the Chicago metro area and northern Indiana will offer a month of free storage services on new rentals U-Haul® is offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents affected by the powerful storms and tornadoes...

Storm Recovery: U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage in Iowa

U-Haul® announced six stores across parts of Iowa and western Illinois will offer 30 days of free storage and U-Box® container usage to residents impacted by Monday night’s severe weather. The Quad Cities experienced 97 mph winds on Monday, causing a derecho...

U-Haul Canada Offers 30 Days Free Storage to Flood Victims in Ontario

9 facilities in 6 cities are providing a month of storage locker and U-Box container use on new rentals ** Update: On July 16, U-Haul added a ninth Ontario store to provide disaster relief assistance. The U-Haul of Bramalea facility is now available to help residents...

Independent Retailer Month: Supporting Small Business is Our Business

July is Independent Retailer Month, when consumers are encouraged to support small businesses and the important role they play in the community, economy and retail industry. U-Haul does this every day of the year through the U-Haul Dealer Network. It’s been at the...

U-Haul Offers Free Storage after Beryl Causes Flooding, Damage in 3 States

71 facilities across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are extending 30 days of free storage to storm victims U-Haul® announced 71 stores across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas are now available to provide 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage to residents...

U-Haul Legal Team Shows Volunteer Spirit at St. Vincent de Paul

The U-Haul Legal department took over St. Vincent de Paul’s Phoenix kitchen on June 25 to prepare individual food containers with hearty meals for Valley families in need. With the support of volunteers, nonprofit SVdP is able to provide 7,500 meals a day for those in...