SCOTTSBORO, Ala. (WHNT) — Emouree Johnson, 8, began selling lemonade earlier this year to pay for her mother’s tombstone. On Saturday, she decided to raise more money, but this time, for others.
Johnson caught the community’s attention in April when she started a lemonade stand to help raise funds for a tombstone for her mother, Karli, who died in March at the age of 29. Earlier this year, a headstone was donated and placed at her mother’s grave.
This month, Johnson, as well as her friends and family, are running a stand selling lemonade, hot chocolate, and peanut brittle.
All the proceeds from this stand will go towards Christmas charities helping other kids receive presents.
Johnson said the idea came when her grandmother took her to register for a Christmas charity.
“There was a lot of people there, so I just wanted to help out with everybody,” Johnson told Nexstar’s WHNT. “I knew that it would cost a lot of money. I just wanted to help.”
Like most kids, Johnson has a list full of gift requests including hoodies, sweatpants, and Nike socks. But, she also wants others to get presents.
“I just think that every kid deserves a good Christmas,” said Johnson.
In a year where the loss of Johnson’s mother rocked the entire family, the 8-year-old continues to show character beyond her age. Her grandmother, Jennifer Bordner, said it feels good to give back to the community that helped her family.
“They helped us in our worst time,” said Johnson. “I wanted to, you know, to show our thanks and appreciation. There’s kids that need, you know, help from the community.”
