Café LEMON

The summer of 2021 was an eventful and very gratifying time for a group of kids. Team Café Lemon; Shakti Meiyur; Ishaan Dadhirao; Shiv Meiyur; Pranav Yadla and Aditi V raised $ 2,063 for animal shelters in MA. The amount was equally distributed between Nevins farm and Lowell human society; to add 2 companies’ prices matched the donation.

Team Café Lemon also, raised money for the American cancer society at the Relay for Life event held at Wilmington High School, Wilmington, MA on September 18^th, 2021.

Shakti Meiyur (founder of Café Lemon); 10yrs old, currently homeschooled, in Billerica MA, loves animals and aims to be a doctor-like mom.

Ishaan Dadhirao (Co-founder); 12 yrs. old at the Locke middle school, Billerica MA, loves animals and wants to become a veterinarian.

Shiv Meiyur; (Co-founder); 14 yrs. old currently homeschooled in Billerica MA; loves animals and would love to become a scientist.

Pranav Yadla; (executive team); 13 yrs. old middle schooler at Andover Middle school; loves animals and wants to pursue Law.

Aditi (executive team) 13 yrs. old middle school at North Andover; loves animals and would love to learn business and law.

A fun summer afternoon idea became a mission for a group of kids. It started with the small idea of either adopting a pet or donating money to adopt-a-pet.org. Shakti; a girl’s scout; decided to start a lemonade stand to raise money to help the animal shelters. We visited various animal shelters to learn about their work and needs. One summer afternoon, while she along with her brother Shiv were planning about the stand Ishaan jumped to the idea and became a part of Café Lemon. Shakti, Shiv, and Ishan started their journey on the mission. They reached out to town halls and health boards of various towns; BJ’s; Market Basket; Shaw’s; Stop and Shop; Lowes and Home Depot.  They reached out to every place in their capacity to have their Lemonade stand but did not get approvals. The wait went from days to weeks, but they continued their search. On a Monday afternoon while coming out of the library Shakti decided to talk to Billerica Farmer’s market. Billerica farmers market was very kind to let Café Lemon have their first stand. Billerica Farmer’s market stand was a huge success and many animal lovers donated with an open heart. Soon, Pranav and Aditi joined this mission; they worked together, good friends became a good and successful team. Lowell; Wilmington; Tewksbury farmers market allowed the lemon stand and so did Andover on their town day.

Following the town guidelines to coming up with out-of-the-box ideas; the team did it all. Places where they couldn’t have Lemonade; they came up with ideas like Iced tea; Balloons, fun tattoos, and delicious cookies.

The team spent their summer planning; shopping; waking up early and spending a full day standing at the stand, whether rain or sulky hot nothing stopped them from standing strong on their mission. Their enthusiasm was very contagious, and the parents helped them in every way possible; driving them around; setting up the stall and providing supplies all the time without anything in return.

Team Café Lemon raised $2062 which they distributed equally to Nevins farm and Lowell humane society. Their hard work was appreciated by a donation match by 2 companies. Nevins Farm and Lowell humane society accepted the donation with gratitude and invited the kids for a visit to appreciate their hard work.

A small idea blossomed into a fun and giving summer. Kids held hands and supported each other. Kids learned the art of raising funds; marketing and above all the art of GIVING.

They thank Billerica; Wilmington; Lowell, Tewksbury farmer market, and the town of Andover for giving them the opportunity to have their stand and support their mission. They thank friends and family for their support. Café Lemon thanks all the people who donated with an open heart and everyone who believed in them and supported the mission.

Café Lemon will be on the mission to support animal shelters next summer. Please feel free to reach out to the team if you or your child would like to join the mission. This mission is only possible if we all work together.

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