Yukon siblings hope lemonade stand nets $500 for fire department

At the end of May, Laken Cope finally allowed her six children to create their own lemonade stand — something they’ve always wanted to do. Now, the kids are set to hold their third sale this weekend to benefit the local community.

After selling their first batch of homemade lemonade, Cope, of Yukon, said her children were inspired to make a difference.

She wasn’t prepared for their plans to raise money for the community the second time around, as she said the request was “out of the blue.”

“After the (first) lemonade stand, they came to me (and said), ‘I think we should have another lemonade stand and raise money for the community,’ ” Cope said.

The profits raised during the inaugural stand were used to purchase additional lemonade and cups for the second lemonade sale in June.

Cope said her children decided to set aside profits from the second sale to benefit the Yukon Volunteer Fire Department, and they also collected pet food at the stand to donate to an animal shelter.

“We were just hoping to raise a lot of money,” said Addison Jordan, one of Cope’s children.

Addison, 13, said she and her siblings made posters for advertising.

The second sale netted about $200 and three bags of dog food, according to Cope.

“They were so happy,” Cope said. “(It) felt like 100 degrees, (but) they wouldn’t give up.”

Heading into this weekend, the children are hoping to raise $500 for the fire department.

Yukon Volunteer Fire Department President Kim Lofgren said the money raised will go toward equipment and gear for the department’s new truck and firefighters. It also will help to cover the firefighter’s training costs.

Lofgren, of Yukon, said some of Cope’s children have discussed joining the junior firefighters program when they are older. She said it is “a little overwhelming” to see the children’s fundraising efforts.

“(We’re) very grateful to see the younger generation support the community,” Lofgren said. “We need more people like that.”

Lofgren said she expects someone from the department to visit the lemonade stand, and she hopes to see community support like this continue moving forward.

Mia Jordan, 14, said the kids decided to increase their goal to “help out again.”

Cope said she’s tried to teach her children to help others, because the family previously received help at a local homeless shelter.

“We went through a lot,” Cope said. “Then to see them come up to me … asking to help other people made me honestly feel like I’m doing something right.

“Them donating this money … it could save somebody’s life,” Cope said. “The fire department could help save someone’s life. I’m so proud of them.”

The lemonade stand will be open at 335 Spring St. in Yukon from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.