Shelterlink receives $120 from five-year-old Hugh Smith’s lemonade stand fundraiser

Residents in five-year-old Hugh Smith’s neighbourhood cooled off with refreshing lemonade and freezies for his lemonade stand fundraiser for Shelterlink. He raised $120 for the organization supporting youth facing homelessness.

A child’s lemonade stand is ensuring youth facing homelessness get the support they need.

Hugh Smith, a five-year-old, raised $120 for Shelterlink Youth Services by selling lemonade, freezies and stickers. In a statement to the Stratford Times, his parents Madeline and Alistair Smith were thrilled to praise their son.

"We are proud of Hugh and his determination to work in the heat to raise awareness for such a worthy cause,” said the Smiths. “We've tried to instill a community mindset in our boys and discuss why social service charities such as Shelterlink are so deserving.”

When Hugh set up his lemonade stand, he thought about putting the money towards a new monster truck, but when he saw his first customer, a neighbour crossing the street, he decided to make his lemonade stand a fundraiser for Shelterlink instead.

“It was a warm, but fun afternoon bringing together friends in our neighbourhood,” the Smiths said.

Last winter, Hugh created colouring books to raise money for his school’s breakfast program at Anne Hathaway Public School. Hugh and his brother Oscar will also be running in the Kids Race for the Local Community Food Centre in October.

Shelterlink Youth Services posted about Hugh’s lemonade stand fundraiser in honour of International Youth Day on Aug. 12.