Government

City of Detroit Gets Nearly $3,000 Donation From 9-Year-Old and His Lemonade Stand

Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:07pm by Erica Ritz
Print »
Email »

Lemonade Kid Joshua Smith Raises $3,000 for Detroit Government Parks and Recreation

Kim Trent buys popcorn from Joshua Smith and his friend Dwayne Durant in Detroit. (Photo: AP)

A 9-year-old boy from Michigan has become the most recent youngster to make national news with his lemonade stand, taking matters into his own hands after hearing about Detroit’s financial woes.

“We’re doing a popcorn sale…and juice sale…Will you please help support our sale?” Joshua Smith asked in a video.

“This money is going to the mayor of Detroit and this money will also help people cut grass…and pick up trash on the ground…Will you please help support me? The hours are 5 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday…Thank you. Bye-bye.”

Watch the video, below:

And Smith’s efforts were not in vain. The child raised nearly $3,000 to clean up local parks, according to CBS Detroit/WWJ, and he chose to give the money to the local government with the hope the parks near his home would be better-maintained.

The Detroit Free Press has the latest:

Joshua was given a Spirit of Detroit award last week for his youthful entrepreneurship by Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, who this morning called Joshua a superstar and “wonderful young man.”

But the modest youngster had few words, saying “Thank you!” for his award and leaving it to his parents to explain the larger significance of why Joshua’s lemonade stand brought out people from all over metro Detroit, from Navy sailors and University of Michigan athletes to suburban grandmothers, to pitch in to his cause.

[...]

Mayor Dave Bing called Joshua at home last week, thanking him but suggesting he put the money into a college fund. But his family said they’re already saving for him to attend college, and he raised the money from selling lemonade, water, fruit punch and popcorn specifically to help his city.

Joshua Smith counts up his earnings at the end of the day. (Photo: AP)

But Smith’s story contrasts strongly with that of Nathan Duszynski, a 13-year-old who tried to start a hot dog stand in the same state. According to reports, Duszynski was trying to earn money for his disabled parents while times are tough, but was shut down by the city of Holland mere minutes after he set up.

Had Duszynski chosen to give all his profits to the government, would he have gotten a ceremony and a call from the mayor, as well? Or is it purely that, because of particular zoning laws, Smith was able to operate for days while Duszynski was shut down after roughly ten minutes?

Back in June, it was becoming such a trend to “shut down” lemonade stands across the country that Glenn Beck organized a national “Lemonade Stand and Bake Sale Day.”

“Here’s what I fear,” Beck explained: “Our kids are learning…that if you want to make money, you need permission…they’re learning to be passive. Our kids are learning…that if you want to make money, you need to pay powerful people first.”

It remains to be seen whether the city will be a better custodian of Smith’s $3,000 than it was with the rest of the state’s budget, and while the response to his hard work has been overwhelmingly positive, one Huffington Post commenter noted: “I salute his entrepreneurial skills, but would advise him not to donate money that will be squandered.”

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (59)

blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:22pm
I think I mispelled gesture. Sorry.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- do_it_all_again
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 2:00am
  so why doesnt he just keep the money, buy some rakes and trash bags,, then pay his friends a few dollars an hour,, and clean up the parks themselves?
  They would all have some money , clean parks, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe even the pride in a job well done, to keep them clean !
  Report Post »
- do_it_all_again
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 2:03am
  well i forgot to add in my last post,, after all i said, the beauty of capitalism is, he can do with his money whatever he wants to !
  Report Post »
blackyb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:21pm
The efforts of the little boy are wonderful, but they will go to buy a nice dinner for some of the flunkys who have already destroyed and robbed Detroit. That was a wonderful jesture, but the reality of it is; ….well look around.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- jhaydeng
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:46pm
  It’s so freeking sad that a little boy knows how to fix fiscal destruction in Detroit! It is refreshing to see that not all kids are busy watching So You Think You Can Dance!!!
  Report Post »
- CatB
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:29am
  That is half the money it takes to buy a median price home in Detroit ($6,000) … in some parts of Detroit he could have bought 3 houses ($1,000 or less per home)
  Report Post »
perry1980
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:59pm
But you did Not Build that!
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Ben__Franklin
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:53pm
Poor kids, they got the right idea and heart, but they just gave their money to the wrong person. Its all going to go to corruption and phat union pensions. They should take a look around them and look at what the Democrat run city has become. Kids would have been better off using the money to get them and their family the hell out of Detroit’s Progressive Utopia.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- Maxim Crux
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:13pm
  You are so right. Bad idea to trust the government with the money. He would have been better off hiring 20 kids and put them to work picking up the trash.
  Report Post »
deltaecho
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:43pm
I‘ve always agreed with the concept that it’s better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness. So, good for this young man.
Detroit’s darkness, however, includes a 100mph hurricane of corruption.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
OniKaze
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:31pm
I actually have to agree with someone who reads the Huffington Post… Ohh.. I think I just vomited a little bit….

But I must agree… I LOVE this kid… He seems smart, and I am willing to bet he may just try to keep off of government subsidies (only time will tell)..

To give this money that he worked hard for, to a faceless government so they can spend it as they see fit, does a great dis-service to all of his efforts.. HE needs to decide where that money should go… I am willing to bet that a local animal shelter, or homeless shelter would LOVE to see a $3000 donation, much more than the city of Detroit would (and I would be willing to bet they would spend it wiser as well…)

Either way, whatever becomes of it… Young Mr. Smith, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN!!! Way to go….
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- taxpro4u03
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 9:29pm
  Wouldn‘t it be KEWEL if this young man actually FIGGERED OUT to ’deal‘ with the potential ’regulation thugs,’ to just offer to give them the profits of say… $3,000 — (heck he coulda grossed 3X that, after ‘administrative fees’ — playing by THEIR rules — pocketed 6 grand ) — “net INCOME” is a game everyone can play — this was ‘great’ PR for the ‘city,’ and they bought it hook line and sinker — ;-) GOOD on this young man! “Necessity is the mother of innovation/invention.”
  Report Post »
- pamela kay
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 2:53am
  ONIKAZE, I love this kid too. My only question is how was he allowed to do this when so many other lemonade stands have been shut down. Like the recent one of the boy trying to help out his parents with a lemonade stand. Personally, I would have donated money to both and I commend these kids for their efforts. Very sweet and honorable. I think he is adoreable.
  Report Post »
JustPeachy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:16pm
Joshua, you are a remarkable young man–actually seeking to DO something about a problem you see in your community. Too many Americans just sit back and wait for the government to do something.

Many of us here fear the government to which you gave your money may end up wasting it. But don’t let that be a discouragement to you if that happens, if you don’t see the parks being cleaned up, etc. That’s part of our problem, Joshua. You see, taxpayers already give our government plenty of money-but they do not usually spend it in the best ways.

But if people volunteered-worked on things themselves-you can see differences made. Maybe you can help be a catalyst to get more people in your community to CARE about the problems you see–and then to actively WORK to help SOLVE the problems, rather than waiting for government to do it.

Great job, Joshua! If you were my son, I’d be very proud! :-)
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- AvengerK
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:21pm
  If Obama had a son……
  Report Post »
- Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:34pm
  Yeah, the kid is awesome. The only issue I have is that someone should have showed him how to use the money to directly benefit his community rather than giving it to people who already created the problem to begin with. All that good will and energy but nobody thought to give him a little logic lesson?
  Report Post »
- turkey13
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:44pm
  Someone needs to teach the kid how to run a computer and research the city budget which they don’t follow. The mayor of Detroit is in a war Zone and because of that the city spends $2,280.00 a day for around the clock body guards for mayor. Under Misc. some days he spends up to $300.00 in tips while he does his wheeling and dealing. The kid should have got $3,000 worth of silver bullion so when the dollar becomes usless he can bartor for food.
  Report Post »
steveh931
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:15pm
Joshua and Dwayne,

Keep it up, the city needs leaders like the two of you, God Bless and may your futures be bright.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- starman70
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:40pm
  Joshua and Dwayne, you guys are the epitome of what Glenn Becks “Restoring Love” was all about. People helping others without a thought about themselves. You guys did a fine job.
  
  I am amazed that the city didn’t shut down your stand, as so many other cities have shut down kid’s lemonade and cupcake stands, for lack of 1) a business license 2) a city health department inspected preparation area 3) failure to collect sales taxes.
  
  I truly think that if more residents of Detroit would follow your example and get off their duffs and volunteer to clean up their city, Detroit could become a vibrant and energetic city.
  Report Post »
- Lothmar
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:31am
  @ Star – why shut them down, that 3k covers all the various Fee’s/licenses etc they would have incurred and got the city some free press and you cant put a price on good press. ~chuckle~
  Report Post »
JQCitizen
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:13pm
My guess is the poor kid is getting a head start, by working to support the “TAKERS” now; He’s going to need that head start if things keep going the way they have with the bunch in Washington currently!
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
ltb
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:03pm
So the kid works his tail off, earns $3,000 and then gives it to a bunch of corrupt bureaucrats… like taking candy from a baby.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- OniKaze
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:31pm
  I do believe THAT is the VERY DEFINITION of that phrase…..
  Report Post »
Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:58pm
Make up your mind Government

- is it OK …..or NOT OK …..to open a Lemonaid stand??

Or is it because he is being a “model citizen” and giving his money to the government?

I suspect I know the answer.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Psychosis
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:56pm
I APPLAUD THE YOUNG MAN, though i doubt this will do anything good …………….he should have required some method of accountability to make sure the dem idiots running that town spent the money wisely , but since he didnt you can be sure some democrat trollop found some way to waste it
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Tri-ox
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:53pm
So, who lied to this child? The money will be squandered and this kid will get squat. It is awful to see a child being taken advantage of like this – very sad.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
mwhaley
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:44pm
That money went to the local boobie bar.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Beachbaby
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:36pm
What an idiot child. He culd have moved his famiy out of there in search of a better life. The city will just use it for drugs or hole patrol..
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- JustPeachy
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:10pm
  Beach, I can’t believe you called this young man (who at least has a heart and is trying to DO something to help his community) such a thing–really???? He’s young–and has NO CLUE how our evil government works (or doesn’t) and how it wastes our money. Sadly, he may learn the hard way–but better he learn it NOW than later, don’t you think? HE is the type of American we NEED. He’s willing to roll up his sleeves and WORK to help make things better. He did NOT deserve your callous, thoughtless remark!
  Report Post »
- OniKaze
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:34pm
  I agree, poor choice of words….
  
  Foolish is better… But he is a child still seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, so he can be excused for being naive. But this child doesn’t appear to be an idiot at all…
  Report Post »
Beachbaby
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:31pm
Add your comments
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Gonzo
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:31pm
Hey kid, you didn’t build that.- Barack Hussein Obama
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- AvengerK
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:06pm
  that’s right..someone else made that happen. Including turning Detroit into a wasteland.
  Report Post »
- AvengerK
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:24pm
  If Obama had a son..he’d look like Joshua Smith..only he’d be demanding that someone who makes at least $250K should “pay his fair share”..and for his college tuition..and for his contraceptives…and for his big screen TV.
  Report Post »
Individualism
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:31pm
fortunate not to get attacked by skinheads and not get his lemonade stand shutdown by them.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
GoodStuff
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:27pm
Give $3000 to the government?? Oye vey.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Steven63
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:24pm
I’m torn on what to think about this. $3,000 for a young man could go along way in an account for his education. $3,000 to Detroit government will last about an hour, and most of that in waste.

His value system is about as good as it gets. His faith in his government is sorely misplaced, I fear.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- Ben__Franklin
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:27pm
  An hour??? You give them too much credit. That three grand was spent by the Detroit run Progressives years ago. Just look at their budgets or lack there of…..
  Report Post »
www.TopTheNews.com
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:20pm
Not only is this one cool kid, the government didn’t bribe/fine him for permit violations!
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- Steven63
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:25pm
  I thought of that, too. I think he‘s lucky a code enforcement officer didn’t drive by and ask for his permit.
  Report Post »
- woodyb
  Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:26pm
  But I am curious as to how he ever set up a lemonade stand without being arrested!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Report Post »
Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:18pm
I was there last week, great kid ! He may need to hire a security guard, the crackhead foodstampers know where he lives now…….
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:17pm
A lot of America’s see Joshua Smith as someone who”s done an incredibly mature and compassionate thing. This administration only sees Joshua Smith as “potential”. The first way makes a direct B-line to God and back. Immediate reward. The latter puts you on a waiting list.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply
JayVee
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:14pm
If he really wants his parks cleaned up, he should use the $3000 to hire someone to do it. He could probably pay someone to pick up trash once a week, for a year or so. There’s no way the city could make that money last more than an hour or two.
Report Post » Log in to ReplyReply
- inhisstryd
  Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:19am
  How wonderful that he is not only making Detroit, but the whole country see that at this point we are playing with our kids money and we need to be much more responsible for it. If we follow current trends we are going to leave our kids in deep debt.
  
  If a 9 year old can work to better our city/ state/ nation can’t we all work to get rid of the corruption so OUR money is not spent in vain. Just because it comes directly out of your paycheck doesn‘t mean that you aren’t giving to the same corrupt system.
  Report Post »
kickagrandma
Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:13pm
Hooray, JOSHUA! Courage, determination, high goals~~~ well done, young man. You are a wonderful example for us all.
Report Post » Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.