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When the weather turns warm, it's never shocking to see a lemonade stand run by local kids. What is rare, however, is a lemonade stand created with the sole purpose of doing good.
Doing good is exactly what two Utah sisters had in mind when they first opened their stand two years ago to raise funds and awareness for organ donation. It's a cause very close to 10-year-old Myleigh Madsen's and 8-year-old Makayla Madsen's hearts. In 2020, the girls' older sister, Makenzie Madsen, died while awaiting a heart and kidney transplant.
Diagnosed with congenital heart defects at 14 months old, Madsen received a heart transplant months later. Unfortunately, in 2019, Makenzie's heart and kidneys began failing and she spent more than 300 days in the hospital awaiting a transplant that wouldn't come soon enough.
In its third summer running, Myleigh and Makayla hope to carry on their sister's legacy.
"The girls decided they wanted to buy a lemonade stand with their own money, so we split the cost and they got a lemonade stand," the girls' mother, Monica told KSL. "They wanted to honor their sister and her love of selling snow cones, but they thought lemonade was easier to distribute to a crowd so they wanted to go that route."
The lemonade stand isn't just refreshing – it's educational too. Neighbors, friends, and passersby aren't just treated to refreshing drinks but also provided with education about the value of organ donation and how it can save lives.
That education hasn't stopped with their customers. Their story was picked up by countless news outlets with both regional and national reach, bringing renewed attention and awareness to the importance of organ donation.
The girls' efforts are also making a monetary difference. All proceeds from the lemonade sales go to DonorConnect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery and transplant of organs and tissues in Utah and other western states. DonorConnect helps people sign up as organ donors and provides education and transplant services at three hospitals in Salt Lake City and more than 90 hospitals within the Mountain West.
Last year, the lemonade stand raised more than $6,000 in June, according to a Daily Mail article from July.
It's a healing experience for both the sisters and their parents.
"Words can't describe how proud I am of these girls and their willingness to do this," their father, Tyler Madsen told KSLTV. "Then to donate all of the money to DonorConnect is just amazing."
The lemonade stand runs every Saturday during June at 1394 W. 9220 South in West Jordan. Whether you're after a cool drink, a good cause or a heartwarming community event, you'll see the Madsen sisters doing what they do best – honoring their sister's legacy and demonstrating the enduring power of the human spirit.
If you're unable to make it to the lemonade stand, you can still donate in honor of Makenzie online. Visit the DonorConnect website to learn more.
