When eight-year-old Isla’s dad, Josh Madden, asked if she wanted to go to a Twins game or have a lemonade stand, she chose lemonade stand immediately and said she wanted to donate the money she made.

“I was expecting her decision to donate the money she made,” said Madden. “We went through a list of local organizations and she chose Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud.”

The Maddens had adopted three dogs over the years from the Humane Society and Isla is an animal lover, so her decision wasn’t unexpected.

The duo got to work, making lemonade and two large batches of chocolate chip cookies. Then they set up shop and waited for customers to arrive.

People came from all over Clearwater, telling the Maddens that as soon as they saw there was a lemonade stand in town they had to stop over. The stand even attracted the attention of a group of Clearwater firefighters, who were driving around training.

“One of the guys saw it on Facebook (where Madden had advertised it) and said we should stop by,” said Madden. “They drove up with lights flashing and honked the horn as they were leaving.”

Although local kids came by on their bikes, the majority of customers were adults who saw the stand as they were driving by.

A cup of pink or yellow lemonade or a bag of two cookies could be had for a dollar. At the end of the sale around 50 cups of lemonade had been sold and only eight cookies were left.

Along with some donations, (Isla’s grandma pledged money all the way from Arizona) Isla’s lemonade stand ended up making $200, all of which was donated to Tri-County.

“It was also a good way to meet more of our neighbors,” said Madden, who has lived in Clearwater for two years. “We were even invited to a barbecue.”

Since then a few people have reached out to the Maddens, bummed that they missed out on the fun. Isla and her dad plan to do it again, this time with their entire blended family. Although they haven’t decided if it will be another lemonade stand or something else, they do know the money they raise will be donated.

“It was a good time,” said Isla.