In the heart of central Texas, a beautiful wave of kindness and support is blossoming in response to the recent floods that tragically affected many lives over the July 4th weekend. While the community rallies together, even the youngest members are stepping up to make a difference.
The floods brought sorrow, claiming the lives of approximately 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp nestled along the Guadalupe River. Still, the spirit of generosity shines bright as young Texans offer their support to the camp and the grieving families.
How are these children making a positive impact? Through the delightful tradition of lemonade stands.
In Harris County, one remarkable teen, Brylee Livesay, caught the attention of local law enforcement while selling lemonade outside her home. At just 14 years old, Brylee's initiative to open a lemonade stand for Camp Mystic has raised over $600 to aid flood victims. "Her compassion and drive set a powerful example for us all," praised Constable Terry Allbritton in a heartfelt social media post.
In a similar spirit, Courtney Birdsong, a realtor from Lake Jackson, shared a lovely photo of her children, affectionately known as the "Birdsong babies," at their own lemonade stand. All proceeds from their stand are dedicated to supporting the camps affected by the floods. Birdsong expressed her heartache over the devastation in Hunt, Texas, and encouraged everyone to keep Camp Mystic and the affected families in their thoughts and prayers.
Inspired by this wave of goodwill, the Woodard family also joined in, with Omari Armstrong Woodard sharing that her sons were motivated to set up a lemonade stand with the goal of raising $1,000. "Our great state of Texas is hurting, and now is the time to step up for one another," she noted, crediting the Birdsong family for the inspiration. As the day progressed, she shared that they were close to reaching their goal, emphasizing the importance of community and compassion.
Another touching effort came from young Shan Patel, whose mother, Anjali, helped him set up a lemonade stand in honor of her birthday. They aimed to raise funds for therapeutic services for families affected by the flood. Anjali encouraged others to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign that has already raised over $350,000 to support survivors and their families. "Every donation helps," she reminded everyone, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support.
Among the most impressive initiatives were 9-year-old twins Corrigan and Cannon Camp from Fort Worth, who collectively raised over $5,000 for Camp Mystic during the flood weekend. After hearing about the disaster, Cannon suggested a lemonade stand to help, and the twins worked for hours, delighting their neighbors with refreshing drinks. "I feel like a lot of people care for Mystic and how damaged it is," Corrigan shared, while Cannon felt a sense of fulfillment knowing they were helping the camp.
Their mother, Lisa Camp, expressed her gratitude for the community's response, noting how everyone came together to share their experiences and support one another during this challenging time.
In a world often filled with hardships, these young hearts remind us of the incredible goodness that exists when we come together. Through their lemonade stands and acts of kindness, they are not only supporting those in need but also inspiring others to join in this beautiful effort of compassion and community spirit.