JACKSON, MI – Levi Bolenbaugh wanted to volunteer at the Jackson County Animal Shelter with his mom, but he was too young.
So the 4-year-old took matters into his own hands: He started a lemonade stand.
He got the idea when his mom, Andrea Bolenbaugh, mentioned she wanted to volunteer at the shelter like she used to when she was a teenager. When he expressed interest in volunteering, his mom suggested he help in other ways. He came up with the lemonade stand idea on his own, she said.
Levi raised and donated $63 dollars for the shelter, as well as some blankets, dog toys and cat toys.
“He was just so happy to make that much money,” Andrea Bolenbaugh said. "He said right away, ‘OK, can we take it to the animal shelter now?’”
Levi Bolenbaugh poses for a photo with his jar of donations at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. He raised $63 through a lemonade stand. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Bolenbaugh)
Lydia Sattler, director of the shelter, said Levi’s mom let her know about the lemonade stand so she could post about it on the shelter’s Facebook page. When Levi donated the money, the shelter made a post Thursday, June 13 that spread fast and had more than 800 likes within a day.
Sattler said everyone at the shelter was excited to meet Levi when he brought in his donations.
“It just melted everyone’s hearts to see this little guy walk in with his jar (of donations) and just want to turn it in for the animals,” she said. “That really brightened everyone’s day and really lifted our spirits.”
Levi will be attending Northwest Elementary School in the fall, but for now, he’s enjoying his summer. The family has plans to set up the lemonade stand again with some of Levi’s friends, his mom said.
Levi Bolenbaugh with his dog, Loki. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Bolenbaugh)
An only child, Levi’s dog Loki keeps him company, Andrea Bolenbaugh said.
Levi wants to help animals when he grows up and would like a cat if he could have another pet, he said.
Sattler said she was inspired to see someone so young with so much compassion for animals.
“He really warmed our hearts and must have great parents to instill that in him,” she said. “He may have a future at the shelter if he wants one.”
More information about how to volunteer at the Jackson County Animal Shelter can be found here. For more on Levi’s next lemonade stand, follow the shelter’s Facebook page.