Posted on 07/21/2005 5:38:32 PM PDT by SandRat
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (July 21, 2005) -- The Marine Corps has a rich tradition of taking care of its own, and now two 9-year-olds and a 7-year-old have joined the fight. No, they have not taken up arms; rather, they are helping heal families of wounded Marines and Sailors.
Hayden Bardorf and Kelsey Killeen, 9, and Megan Killeen, 7, opened a lemonade stand July 11 to help raise money through the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund for families of Marines and Sailors who were wounded during combat or training.
“The children started the stand because they wanted to help the injured Marines,” said Lisa Killeen, mother of Kelsey and Megan. “Hayden's mother, Rene Bardorf, is one of the founders of the Semper Fi Fund, and I am a caseworker for Bethesda and Walter Reed. The kids have seen us working and wanted to do something on their own to help.”
Each of the girls has her own job: Megan holds the sign up at passing cars, greeting everyone with her smile, and points to the location of the stand. Kelsey pours the lemonade, bakes cookies for the stand, and hands out Semper Fi Fund cards. Hayden takes the orders, gets the ice, and hands out the lemonade. And they all do it with a smile.
“I personally do not take a role in the stand,” said Lisa. “I just keep and eye on the kids while they do everything from set up to clean up.”
The stand usually opens in the afternoons from 2 until 6:30 p.m., weather permitting, and will continue operation until school starts at the end of August.
“They have only had the stand open for five days, and have made $205 for the fund thus far,” she said. “A lot of it is just donations that people have given, with people occasionally driving by just wanting to donate to the fund and thank the kids for the great job they are doing.”
All proceeds go to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which aids families of injured Marines and Sailors recovering from wartime injuries. However, there is a tip jar, the contents of which the kids split at the end of each day.
“We (the Bardorfs and the Killeens) are very proud of the kids,” Lisa said. “It's nice seeing them excited about helping others and seeing how proud they are of themselves. They are really learning a lot about the generosity of others, as well as the importance of being generous themselves. They are very committed and take their job seriously, but at the same time, they have a lot of fun, too.”
“I am proud to be helping out the Marines,” said Hayden as he poured a cup of lemonade for a customer.
“It’s a good cause and I like doing it,” said Kelsey.
For a glass of cool lemonade, stop by the stand located across from Burrows Elementary School.
On May 18, 2004, a small group of concerned Marine Corps spouses founded the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund to provide financial grants and other assistance to Marines and sailors, and families of those injured while serving our nation.
Since the fund started, it has helped over 1,000 families with over $1.7 million in grants.
For more information on the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, or to donate, visit www.SemperFiFund.org.
. Extra cute, caring children.
The Marines at Quantico will protect the children.
Outstanding. These youngsters give me renewed hope for our future. Thanks!
Brat! You just love to see a grown woman cry, don'cha! What a couple of special kids...and so unselfish. And you will never read something this positive in the MSM! God bless them--and God bless our troops!
Brat! You just love to see a grown woman cry, don'cha! What a couple of special kids...and so unselfish. And you will never read something this positive in the MSM! God bless them--and God bless our troops!
Oops!.....hiccups :o)
God bless these children. Looks like their parents have done a good job raising them!
I did warn you!
Dang! Don't you hate it when your fingers stutter!
I think Code Pink would have quite a few Marines in Battle-Dress to contend with if they tried.
LOL.... Great kids!
I'll have a Double!
of lemondade, that is. :)
Yeah--you did warn me--and I did have my *sniff* kleenex!
...and yeah, I do hate it when my fingers stutter. I have been on dial-up the past few days, and just now got back on high-speed--forgot HOW high the speed was! LOL!
I am sending Freeper "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" SHIRTS TO THEM! Maybe even YOU'RE EITHER WITH US OR FROM HOLLYWOOD SHIRTS TOO!!!!
Bless you! Bless You!!!!!!!
I doubt that Code Pink would even breathe in their direction!
Thanks for the ping SandRat.
How lovely and cute is that!
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