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Seven-year-old Lairyn Lewis is putting her love of giving into action with a lemonade stand fundraiser on Saturday, Mar. 8. The effort is one she planned herself to support both people and animals in need, 

“She’s always had a heart for service,” said Lairyn’s father Marcus Anderson. 

“We go through her toys twice a year and donate anything that she doesn’t really play with, and she gets so excited knowing that she’s helping someone less fortunate,” he explained.

After a recent family discussion about homelessness, Lairyn told her parents she wanted to help “homeless people and homeless animals.” Her mother, Amy Lewis, said they searched online for donation options, but Lairyn had a bigger vision.

“We were looking online for places where we could make a donation and she wanted to donate money to everyone and everything,” LAmy said. “I love that she wants to give back to the community, but I think it’s important that she has a hand in raising the money.”

To bring her idea to life, Lairyn will run the lemonade stand, with half of the proceeds going to the Butler County Humane Society and the other half benefiting a charity fighting food insecurity.

“We are just honored that she wants to donate to us,” said Cory Rice of the Humane Society. “It’s always so sweet when children want to help, and it’s great to have the younger generation get involved so we can keep saving animals’ lives.”

Rice plans to bring a shelter pet along to greet visitors and help spread awareness about animal adoption. The stand will be set up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Commerce Street across from City Hall.