MARC Clients Turn Lemons Into Opportunity During Wellness Month

MARC clients wrapped up Wellness Month on a sweet note Friday, August 28, with a fresh-squeezed lemonade stand that brought the community together while giving clients a hands-on lesson in wellness, teamwork and entrepreneurship.

Leading up to the event, clients were hard at work pressing fresh lemons, preparing the lemonade and creating colorful signs to promote their stand. On Friday, that preparation turned into a real-world learning experience as clients took 30-minute shifts working different parts of the operation.

From prepping and serving lemonade to greeting customers, accepting donations and helping run the stand, clients had an opportunity to experience the full circle of operating a small business.

And the community showed up in a big way!

Supporters arrived on foot, by bicycle, golf cart and car for the walk-up and drive-up lemonade stand. The official MARC tent was ready with fresh lemonade, a donation box and Manatee stickers, while the special color-changing cups quickly became a crowd favorite.

A huge thank you goes to Manatee Drinks for sponsoring the Lemonade Stand and helping make this Wellness Month activity possible.

What started as a fun learning experience quickly became something even bigger. By the end of the day, MARC clients had raised an incredible $808.06!

The funds will help provide four or more field trips for MARC clients, extending the impact of one afternoon of learning into several new experiences in the community.

We are truly amazed by the generosity of everyone who stopped by, made a donation, shared an encouraging word or helped spread the word about the Lemonade Stand. Every cup of lemonade helped support opportunities for the individuals MARC serves.

Thank you to Manatee Drinks, our MARC staff and clients, and everyone who came out to support the Lemonade Stand. You helped us turn fresh lemons into learning, community involvement and new adventures for our clients! 🍋