Mount Pleasant Magazine Nov/Dec 2017

31 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestofMP.com What started as a modest lemonade stand in a Mount Pleasant suburban street has grown into a charity phenomenon that has stretched into other states. LemonAID has encouraged more children to spearhead initiatives to brighten the lives of the less fortunate. “We have had six stands, in five states – Tennessee, North Carolina, Delaware Virginia and Georgia – join our nationwide Operation LemonAID team,” said Musselwhite. “Some of them haven’t had their stands yet, so we are still in the beginning stages. But we are very excited about the progress so far.” Perhaps the most rewarding part goes along with hearing the positive reactions from those who open the door to find a package assembled with care and thought. Contents of the boxes range from toys and stuffed animals to personal hygiene items and school supplies. “We have heard shoe box recipients speak as adults about how receiving a shoe box as a child was a life- changing experience for them because it introduced them to Jesus and gave them hope,” said Musselwhite. “Tracy hopes to get a pen pal this year by including her address in the shoe boxes we assemble.” From appearances on “Lowcountry Live” to addressing the church’s congregation to gain more support for the initiative, the Musselwhite sisters are no strangers to the spotlight. Fueled by the unwavering will to help children who didn’t necessarily grow up with as much as they did continues to motivate them daily. The publicity of their generosity attracted the attention of The Samaritan’s Purse, a sister organization of Operation Christmas Child, prompting the group to send a representative to help boost fundraising. “The most rewarding aspect would have to be the excitement Anna and Tracy show every time more money is raised or more publicity is given to the project,” said Musselwhite. “The flip side is that they are so invested in it that they can get disappointed when something doesn’t go as planned. They were very upset about having to miss speaking at a national conference in Florida to promote their initiative because of Hurricane Irma. It actually broke my heart to see them so upset.” While the stand has now moved to Hibben United Methodist Church, the sisters have savored watching it steamroll into a project much more significant than they could have ever foreseen back on that balmy summer day in their front yard. In August, the Musselwhite sisters raised over $1,200 in just one day. However, this is still a few hundred dollars short of their goal. Interested donors are encouraged to log on to https://give.classy.org/ operationlemonaid to help this worthy cause. Those who want to go a step further and get in on the action can also learn how to set up a LemonAID stand of their own.