When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And that’s exactly what twins Koby and Cooper Smith did when they learned that right in their very own town another set of twins had been born, but they had experienced serious health issues.
The 10-year-old Smith twins wanted to help the new babies and their family, but weren’t sure how. That’s when they decided to organize a lemonade stand benefit.
Koby and Cooper sold lemonade for $1 per cup and ended up raising $1,500 for the family to put toward extensive medical expenses!
Of that total, $800 came from the lemonade stand and $700 in electronic donations designated for the twins sent in by kindhearted people.
“We like helping our community and helping other people out. We felt happy that we made all the money and excited to hand it over to give to the Burden twins’ mom and dad.”
In order to successfully sell their lemonade, the boys crafted a sign and propped it up against their table, then placed a tent overhead to shelter themselves from the sun and help keep the tasty beverage cold. In just two hours’ time, they successfully raised a chunk of money that will go toward the Burden twins.
Considering all that the Burden twins have gone through in their short lives, their medical expenses are steep. The boys’ generosity definitely will help the family.
The identical twins, born to Hayden and Haley Burden, were born premature at 23 weeks. They suffer from Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) and other life-threatening diseases.
Initially, the boys’ chance of survival after arriving into the world. But the little fighters did not give up.
Miraculously, both twins pulled through and are proving to everyone just how strong they really are. Archie was particularly tiny, weighing just 13 ounces and measuring 9.5 inches long.
He actually is the smallest male to ever survive a premature birth in the United States. In fact, his family has entered him for consideration in the “Guinness Book of World Records.”
Koby and Cooper have become pretty well known in their community for sponsoring fundraiser lemonade stands and giving the proceeds to good causes. The twins were a mere five years old when they hosted their first one.
This is the fourth one they’ve held in order to help others, their mom Kara said.
“We had a neighbor down the street who had some heart complications. He was in ICU and they decided to host the lemonade stand. They raised a lot of money from the neighborhood.”
But the boys didn’t stop there. The next time they heard about someone who could use a boost, they stepped up to help.
The second one was their kindergarten teacher’s husband had cancer and they donated the money to them. It’s heartwarming to know that they care about others. We’re blessed and we just love to help everybody. I’m glad that they’ve seen that.”
Kara noted how the community always supports the boys’ endeavors.
“They wielded the lemonade stand. The community did the rest. I love our community. Anytime there’s something going on it seems like everybody comes out and supports whatever the need is.”
Haley Burden, Archie and William’s mom, said she was touched by the incredible gesture shown by the Smith family and the twins in particular.
Families with multiples really grasp what life is like for each other and that makes the Smith boys’ show of support even sweeter like their lemonade.
“It meant the world to us. We didn’t even know they were going to do a benefit for the boys, which makes it even more special because it just let us know they were doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. It makes me so happy to know that. I also loved that the little boys who did it are twins, too. It was very special for so many different reasons.”
The boys’ generosity also reassured the Burdens that there are others looking out for the boys, there are others who truly care.
“It makes me realize we aren’t the only ones rooting for the boys, but so many others are rooting for them also.”
Koby and Cooper also are hoping their prayers for the twins are heard and answered.
“Grow big and strong.”
We hope the Burden twins grow big and strong, too! And hopefully, Koby and Cooper continue to make a difference in this world. What incredible kids they are!
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