"It doesn’t matter who they are, they all deserve to be treated like human beings."
They are just two young girls and a lemonade stand, raising money to help the homeless.
Tehlor and Miya’s lemonade stand started last year as part of their parents’ garage sale.
The stand raised hundreds of dollars and, this year, it returned with an even bigger goal in mind.
9&10’s Cody Boyer met the sisters at their second stand and has more details behind what drives them to.
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“I think it can inspire a lot of people,” says Tehlor Keel.
It’s the classic business plan for countless kids during the summer.
But this lemonade stand, nestled in the front yard of 1601 Sunnyside Drive in Cadillac, is meant for something more than a little summer spending money.
“I was on my way to school and I was thinking how not everyone has a heated house, how they don’t have clean clothes or anything for them,” Tehlor says.
“Just out of the blue, she says Dad, I want to do a lemonade stand,” says Matthew Keel, Tehlor and Miya’s father. “I say okay, we’ll do it this summer. She says I want to give all of the money to the homeless. I said okay."
That dream raised more than $300 last year for the New Hope Shelter in Cadillac.
This year, 10-year-old Tehlor and her four-year-old sister, Miya, raised more than $350 before they poured the first cup.
“I think it is awesome to see that kids, kids are doing it,” Tehlor says. “Maybe adults will want to do it to and take part."
Each cup of lemonade is 50 cents, but that’s not the only way they are raising money.
You can actually go online, too, and they are doing a fundraiser on social media.
"$25 is our pitcher award, $50 is our jug award, and $100 or more is a barrel award and you are recognized on social media just for it,” Tehlor says.
Every cent goes to the helping the homeless.
“We live in a very generous community,” says Brenda Wright, Executive Director of the New Hope Shelter. “To see it, the younger generations picking up on that and not just hearing it from their parents, but they are catching on to it in their own hearts and that is what is so impressive."
“It’s the best lemonade ever,” Miya says.
This year’s goal is $500 — and it appears well within their grasp.
“It doesn’t matter who they are, they should at least have a house, clean clothes and heat,” Tehlor says.
“These kids, with their big hearts, wanting to help others, it’s just great to see,” says Kelly Keel, the sisters’ mother. “Makes me so proud to be their mother."
You can take a look at Tehlor and Miya’s Facebook page if you are interested in helping their cause.
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