In 2019, six‑year‑old Grace Hendrian asked her mother Kellea if she could run a lemonade stand to benefit The Salvation Army. The family set an initial goal of $10, but Adam Hendrian suggested adding a zero, turning it into $100. The first stand pulled in more than $1,000, enough to fund roughly 400 meals through the charity’s Family Services.
When June Hendrian joined in 2021, the sisters aimed to raise enough for 500 meals. They shifted from a single booth to a community event, inviting churches, sports teams, and other youth groups to host their own Lemon‑Aid stands. By 2023, the project had grown to several independent kiosks, and by 2026, fourteen stands operated across Quincy and into Missouri, each equipped with official Red Kettle starter kits.
The effort earned the sisters formal accolades; Matt Schmidt, Development Director for the Salvation Army Quincy Area Command, praised the fundraiser during the 2022 awards ceremony, naming Grace and June Volunteers of the Year. Schmidt highlighted how the stand demonstrated the power of youth leadership in bolstering local social services.
With the 2026 season concluding, Grace, now 13, and June, 10, will continue their involvement as volunteers and mentors for future Salvation Army initiatives. The $55,000 raised over seven years will keep funding food, shelter, and financial assistance programs for families in crisis.