From lemonade to wheelchairs

Even though the economy has been tough, I thought it was a bit early for a kid to set up a lemonade stand in mid-April. Typically those stands pop up in June when the summer heat starts rising. To my surprise, however, I discovered that lemonade entrepreneur Zackary Bird had something far more serious on his mind. He was raising money for a wheelchair. Not for himself, but for someone he doesn’t even know.

Zack got the idea from Margaret Ludlow, president of a parent-teacher organization at Wasatch Elementary School in Provo, Utah. Following the devastation in Haiti, it occurred to Margaret and her friend Suzanne Kerchinznek that lots of people would need wheelchairs.

Margaret presented her idea to Provo school board member Marianne Christianson. Intrigued by the idea, Marianne said she knew someone in her neighborhood — Barett Christensen — who worked for LDS Philanthropies. She told Barett that they wanted to help children at Wasatch Elementary learn how they can make a difference.

In turn, Barett called Glen Evans, who helps raise funds for LDS Charities, the humanitarian arm of the LDS Church. When Glen told Margaret that they could buy standard wheelchairs for as low as $86 each, she went to work.

Margaret invited Barett and Glen to help kick off the event in person at an assembly during Abilities Week. Each class was given a two-liter pop bottle with a sign that said, “Make a Change.” That’s when Zack’s mind went into high gear.

Zack’s mom, Nancy, told me the rest of the story. “We were getting ready for dinner,” she said, “and Zack told us about his school’s project. His goal was to earn $86 all by himself. We discussed the options and Zack decided to sell lemonade and homemade cookies.”

Nancy and her husband, Danny, encouraged Zack in his venture, pleased that he would learn more about service, charity, and even running a business. They talked about a business name, advertising via signs and Facebook, and tracking expenses and profit. “Zack planned out how we could help him, and we provided the necessary items to get him started,” said Nancy.

At the end of the day, Zack’s Shack brought in $86 in profit and a little more. “We had agreed that if Zack reached his goal, he could keep any money left over. When he counted up his earnings, less the cost of the wheelchair, expenses and tithing, Zack had a little profit,” said his mother. “The smile and satisfied look of accomplishment on his face was priceless.”

But the story doesn’t end there. Zack chose to use the extra money to “build a bunny” for his little sister who will be born later this year. He named the bunny “Cookie,” and he also bought himself a smaller stuffed animal that he named “Lemon.” 

With Zack’s help, Wasatch Elementary raised enough money for 15 wheelchairs. A check for more than $1,300 was presented to Glen and Barett two weeks later. Way to go Zack! High five! You’ve shown us that one determined boy — even if he’s only 6 years old — can do awesome things.