Americus youngster’s lemonade stand a sweet cause

AMERICUS — A home-schooled youngster in Americus is using a simple product to make a difference for those in need.

Latoya Mercer, mother of 6-year-old Ayden Mercer Battle, said her son started a pink lemonade stand last summer as a venture without a clear idea of where to go with it. Proceeds from the stand at one point were given to a food bank before Ayden had a different idea for this month, which has been designated Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“He said, ‘I want to help with the cancer,’” Mercer said. “All he knew was that it is a disease and there was no cure for it.”

Mercer said her son saw people wearing pink earlier this month, the color associated with breast cancer awareness, and asked what the pink shirts were meant to signify. Ayden did not seem to understand why it is a disease that costs so much money to battle despite there being so many people who work to combat it.

So he opted to continue with his stand, primarily located outside the family’s Mercer Barber Shop at 221 N. Lee St., through mid-afternoon on Saturdays during October and donate the proceeds for the month to breast cancer patients and their families.

Ayden took the product, which is homemade, to the route of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center’s Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 7 and sold out.

“It has never been about the money for him,” the youngster’s mother said. “He just wanted to start the lemonade stand. He has the slogan ‘may cause joy.’ He just loves lemonade and wanted to make people happy.”

Ayden makes the product himself, having experimented with several different mixtures, for a direct hands-on experience. As he continued in the venture, people began to take notice.

“A lot of people have been saying it is a good idea,” Mercer said.

The cost is $2 a cup, which includes lids and straws. Due to his home-schooling, Ayden is also able to spend most Fridays at the stand. Mercer said she has been overwhelmed by the response her son’s idea has received, and the expectation is that the stand will remain up for a while.

“We just want to be able to contribute to the cause, and we are overwhelmed by the response we have received,” she said. “We do it every year, and I hope it gets bigger and bigger every year.”

The stand is active year-‘round, with more of a focus on the summer months. Other causes have been discussed, but Mercer’s plan is to let Ayden take the lead on what he wants to donate to and how the stand operates.

So far, he has proven to be capable.

“He’s very passionate about others and business as well,” she said. “He wants to make sure the business is right, and wants to make sure his voice is heard. He tells everyone who comes to the stand, ‘This is for the cancer.’

“He is learning how to deliver his message. (He knows) you don’t have to be perfect and get the message across.”

Not only has Mercer seen a difference in Ayden since he started his lemonade stand, she said she has been reminded that children are smarter than adults sometimes give them credit for.

“He has an entrepreneur spirit. He has learned how to develop his product,” she said. “He knows what he wants, knows how to put it out and how he wants it to look. He is focused.

“I hope it grows. (I hope he) sells the product and gets the message out and helps donate to the cause. The cause is attached to the product; we focus on that.”