Community Corner

Huntley Boy, Family Try To Help Famine Victims

A desire to help led the family to hold a lemonade stand this weekend.

When Connor Wackerlin’s dad told him of the famine and drought in Africa, the 7-year-old Huntley boy felt pretty bad.

So he and his dad, Brad, decided to hold a lemonade stand to raise donations for the American Red Cross. They got a little help from three-year-old Cooper.

The Wackerlin family had a sign outside their home, across from Artfest on Main Street, Saturday selling lemonade. Brad thought it would be a good opportunity to have a stand with Aftfest going on across the street.

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The two made signs and the lemonade.

Brad said he and his son learned about the situation in Africa through the Internet. Conner said he felt pretty bad about the situation in Africa.

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The family decided to donate to the Red Cross because it is actually getting aid to the area. Still, many people, particularly in Somalia, have to walk hundreds of miles to get food, he said.

All the money raised is going to the Red Cross, Brad said.

While Saturday morning's storm caused them to run for shelter, the afternoon cleared and they raised about $40.  Many people told the family that they had wanted to do something to help feed the hungry, Brad said.

Connor said he felt good by helping raise money.

“You have to teach them a little about philanthropy,” Brad said.


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