Boy’s lemonade stand helps veteran recover from surgery
By Ta’Niyah Jordan
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BURTON, Michigan (WJRT) — A 7-year-old boy is raising money through a lemonade stand to help a local veteran pay his utility bill while he recovers from surgery.
Elijah Putnum-Vogal set up his stand at Zerka’s in Burton, selling lemonade for $2 to support the veteran who will be out of work for four months.
“He has no power right now,” Putnum-Vogal said.
Elijah’s aunt, Monique Kusky, organized the fundraiser after learning about the veteran’s situation. She said the veteran works part time at Dollar General and receives a disability check, but it hasn’t been enough to cover his expenses.
“There is a vet that’s worked at Dollar General for quite a while actually and he’s been sick,” Kusky said. “And you would never know by seeing this man. You walk in there, he greets you with a smile every day.”
Kusky said the veteran had no power even before his surgery. When she learned about his circumstances, she knew she had to help.
“So when I found out where he was standing and the situation he had going on, I couldn’t just let that go,” Kusky said.
All donations from the lemonade stand will go directly to helping the veteran. Putnum-Vogal said that helping his neighbor is more important than buying toys and ice cream.
“Him needs help and I feel bad for him,” Putnum-Vogal said.
Community members stopped by throughout the day to donate, buy lemonade and show their support. Organizers said the event not only raised money but also brought the community together to help a neighbor in need.
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