Editor’s note: The celebration of local philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter is set for Nov. 15 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in Boardman. The Business Journal is highlighting this year’s National Philanthropy Day honorees in a series of stories.
Outstanding Youth Fundraisers: Harper, Palmer, Landry and Owen’s Lemonade Stand
CANFIELD, Ohio – This year’s Outstanding Youth Fundraisers honorees started nine years ago when a Canfield grandmother wanted to instill the spirit of philanthropy in her 2-year-old granddaughter, Harper Marlowe.
“We had a friend who was in a motorcycle accident that was paralyzed and he was looking to buy a van. So we just figured we’d make a little bit of money for him,” Jenny Kennedy recalls.
By selling lemonade, baked goods and other items, the effort raised about $400.
Following that success, they decided to continue the effort as an annual event, with Kennedy’s other grandchildren joining over the years.
“We advertised it on Facebook and Instagram and put my Venmo information out there,” Kennedy says. “That’s it – just word of mouth and people sharing the page. But you put a couple cute kids on a poster and say you’re selling lemonade for a good cause and people are pretty apt to help out.”
Harper Marlowe’s role grew as she got older. At age 4, she organized snacks that were being sold, made crafts and T-shirts for sale and collected the money, which she still does today.
Now age 11, Harper Marlowe leads her sister, Palmer, 8, and their cousins, Landry, 5, and Owen Coffin, 21 months, in running the annual Harper, Palmer, Landry and Owen’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser.
Last year alone, the effort raised more than $11,000, Jenny Kennedy says.
“I didn’t understand at first,” Harper Marlowe says. As she has gotten older, she appreciates how much the fundraiser has helped people in the community and how the people and organizations it has helped appreciate it. She also notices her sister and older cousin growing in their awareness.
And assuming more duties. Palmer uses her grandmother’s camera to photograph the event. Landry does most of the pouring, Kennedy says. Next year, Owen will get a job.
The lemonade stand has raised more than $32,000 since its inception. Recipients have included Animal Charity of Ohio, Friends of Fido, Shepherd of the Valley, Project MKC and a local man who lost the use of his leg in an accident.
The cousins, led by Harper Marlowe, choose from a group of potential beneficiaries that Kennedy says she provides them.
“I’m happy that we get to be part of doing something special like this every year. It makes me happy to give back to the community to people who don’t have so much,” Harper Marlowe says.
Kennedy says she’s gratified to see how her grandchildren have embraced the effort.
“It’s important for them to learn how lucky they are and realize other people aren’t so fortunate,” she says. “I like them learning that lesson, even if sometimes they’re not old enough to quite grasp it yet. Eventually, they will.”
Pictured at top: Harper, Palmer, Landry and Owen’s Lemonade Stand