It started with a small idea by Oak Hammock K-8 student Kylie Rowland and then grew and grew and GREW even more. “I want other kids to have the same fun I have at my Boys & Girls Club.” Kylie shared that with her after-school Club director, Miss Kathy. With input from a few other friends and support from Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County (BGCSLC) staff, ‘Love & Lemonade’ was born.

Each morning before school starts the Clubkids work a lemonade stand to the cars in car line to raise funds for their own supplies and for membership scholarships for those who cannot afford the before and aftercare programs. Their menu, served from a plastic rolling cart, has several juices and breakfast snacks like granola bars and Pop-Tarts.

Through the grapevine, BGCSLC partners at Contractor Supply Store and Two-Way Radio Gear offered to work with the Clubkids to build, paint and decorate a cart that would be sturdier and fit their branding of being young students. “We didn’t do all the work. These kids got in the weeds and got their hands dirty and full of paint as well as contributing ideas about how their cart should look,” said Joe Fry of Contractor Supply Store.

“Our partners are truly our strength. The way they inspired the kids is exactly what they need to grow and know their ideas are relevant,” said Will Armstead, CEO of BGCSLC.

The staff from Contractor Supply Store saw the value in the Clubkids’ pride they built a second stand to be used at the new Westside Club in Fort Pierce. The new ‘Love & Lemonade’ stand will get its inaugural debut on the first day of school Tuesday, August 10 at Oak Hammock K-8.

To sign up for this year’s school semester at a Clubhouse or school location please call 772-460-9918 or visit https://bgcslc.rocks/signup.