At age 6, Grace Hendrian opened a lemonade stand hoping to raise $10 for the Salvation Army; seven summers later, she and sister June closed the project after turning that tiny goal into about $55,000

What began as a simple goal for a six-year-old to raise $10 for charity has now come to an end, leaving the local community with tens of thousands of dollars in charitable support. Grace Hendrian and her younger sister, June, have finished the final season of their “Lemon-Aid Stand for Good” in Quincy, Illinois.

What started as a small idea in 2019 grew into a fundraiser that brought in about $55,000 for The Salvation Army. WGEM reported that 2026 was the stand's final season.

A modest ambition takes root

The project began in 2019, when Grace was six years old and asked her mother, Kellea Hendrian, if she could run a lemonade stand and give the money to a local charity. Grace first set a goal of raising $10. Her father, Adam, suggested adding a zero and making the goal $100.

The family ultimately raised more than $1,000 that first year. According to regional coverage from WGEM News, the first fundraiser far exceeded Grace's original goal.

In 2019, the money donated to The Salvation Army's Family Services was enough to provide about 400 meals. In 2021, Grace's younger sister June joined the effort. Together, the sisters set out to raise enough money to provide 500 meals. The sisters gave all of the money they raised to The Salvation Army Quincy Area Command.

The funds support Family Services programs that help people facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardships in the area.

Expanding across the county

As interest in the project grew, the sisters expanded it from a single lemonade stand into a community event. In 2022, Grace and June began inviting other children and families to run their own Lemon-Aid stands, while local groups such as churches and sports teams were also encouraged to participate.

By 2023, the fundraiser had grown to include multiple stands across the community, with support from the Salvation Army.

Registered stands received starter kits containing supplies such as an official Red Kettle, a tablecloth, Lemon-Aid Stand signs and information about collecting donations. By 2026, the event had expanded beyond one location. WGEM reported that 14 independent stands joined Grace and June for the final 2026 fundraiser.

The stands were set up across the Quincy area and into Missouri, showing how the sisters' original idea had grown into a wider community effort.

Recognition and final tally

Over seven summers, Grace, June, their family and other members of the community raised about $55,000 for The Salvation Army. The amount had crossed $33,000 by 2023 and $45,000 by 2025. WGEM reported that the total reached about $55,000 by the end of the seven-year effort in 2026.

The sisters were also formally recognised by The Salvation Army for their work. Grace and June were named the 2022 Salvation Army Volunteers of the Year for the Quincy area.

Salvation Army Quincy Area Command Development Director Matt Schmidt said the fundraiser had grown from a single lemonade stand into a community-wide effort. He told WGEM that the event showed how young people could make a real difference and praised Grace and June for their leadership.

Moving on to new chapters

With Grace and June getting older and taking on more activities, the family decided that 2026 would be the final official season of the Lemon-Aid Stand for Good. Grace was 13 and June was 10 when the final season ended. WGEM reported that the sisters plan to continue helping The Salvation Army as volunteers and mentors for future fundraisers. The money raised through the fundraiser goes to The Salvation Army's Family Services programs.

Those programs help local families with food, shelter, financial assistance, and other support. The sisters' original idea, which began with a simple lemonade stand, has now become a lasting community tradition. What do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comment section.