The Toy Industry Foundation has just started a new project “Make a Stand for Kids” that allows kids to set up stands where they can sell things like lemonade, punch, iced tea, brownies, or cookies to raise money to buy toys for underprivileged kids.
Kids running a lemonade stand for the “Make a Stand for Kids” project. Photo courtesy of Karen Quincy Loberg, Ventura County Star.
The proceeds from the stands will get donated through the Toy Industry Foundation’s How To Help website, which will then use the money to purchase toys for under privileged children.
The foundation is largely supported through toy companies who donate new toys, as well as by companies and individuals who make monetary donations. The foundation also grants funding to worthy children’s charities.
Through the foundation’s partnerships, it collaborates with groups that serve those in need such as military families, as well as children that are at-risk, in foster care, or homeless worldwide.
This new project is a great opportunity for kids to both get some early firsthand experience in learning how to run a small business, as well as learning about the importance for sharing and giving to those less fortunate.
This will be an ongoing project, so there are no deadlines. The kids can set how much money they want to raise and see how long it takes.
The kids will have a good time learning how to make and sell products. The foundation will help by providing the kids with a number of drink recipes for customers like real fresh squeezed lemonade, orange and apricot punch, strawberry punch, and iced tea.
The kids can make the drink recipes and modify them as they like, and are also allowed to set their own, but are not allowed to keep the money.
For various safety reasons it is also advised that an adult always be present to supervise both refreshment preparations and interactions with the customers.
Some of the advice for refreshment preparations includes:
- Always wash your hands with hot soapy water before preparing food.
- If your hair is long, tie it back or wear a cap.
- Wear a clean apron to protect your clothes from spills.
- Have an adult help you slice the lemons, using a sharp knife and a clean cutting board.
- Use paper or plastic pitchers and cups instead of glass.
- Cover the lemonade and ice cubes between servings to keep bugs and dirt out.
- Use a ladle or tongs to serve ice.
- Provide a covered trash container to dispose of used cups and keep your area clutter-free.
- Use downloadable posters from the foundation telling everyone that you are working to raise money for a charitable cause.
Some of the advice for safety precautions includes:
- Set your stand up in your front yard or in an area where there are lots of people.
- Never approach anyone in a car to make a sale.
There is no official registration process to take part in the project, and parents are requested to read the online fundraising guidelines before giving their kids consent to start.
It’s also important that parents know their local laws. The foundation recommends that parents contact the local police department to understand any laws, restrictions, or regulations in relation to setting up this sort of a stand.
Reader comments and input are always welcomed!