Community Corner

Girl's Lemonade Stand Goes to the Dogs

Zoe Clemson is offering lemonade and cookies in exchange for donations to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center.

Nine-year-old Zoe Clemson and her mother, Rose, will be busy this weekend making chocolate chip cookies and lemonade. But they won't be keeping the treats for themselves.

From 11 a.m to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19, the mother-daughter duo will be setting up a lemonade stand at Kiehl's at the Short Hills Mall and offering the goodies in exchange for donations to benefit St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

Zoe, the proud owner of a chocolate lab, Rocco, a guinea pig, aquatic frogs and fish, has always loved animals—both real and stuffed—her mom explained. Whenever the Westfield residents visit Kiehl's, Zoe gravitates toward the section of the store that features information about adoption at St. Hubert's.

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While the skin and hair care retailer, located on the mall's second floor near Macy's, hosts pet adoption days once a month, a brochure listing the animals in need of homes is always on hand.  

"We got to talking with the manager of the store and told him we were planning on having a lemonade stand at the house during our next garage sale and that all of the monies collected were going to St. Hubert's," Rose explained. "He then suggested that at the next pet adoption day we have our lemonade stand at the store with the adoption."

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Rose said her daughter, a soon-to-be fourth grader at , was inspired after a guest visited her school and spoke to students about making a difference by finding a cause that interested them. 

"I explained how not all charities use the monies donated for the cause and that you really need to pick something that is important to you," Rose added. "I let her look at the St. Hubert's information and she had decided then that this was what she would raise money for."

Instead of offering the lemonade and cookies for a set price, Zoe has crafted a sign inviting shoppers to "enjoy a cup of lemonade and a cookie with your generous donation." While she hasn't set a monetary goal, Rose said Zoe is very hopeful that they will have a successful day.

"She said it makes her feel really good to be able to maybe help find a home for some of the animals and help pay some of their expenses," Rose said. 

Four-legged friends, ready for adoption, will also be in the store. For those interested in possibly adding to the family in the future, a brochure of other dogs looking for new homes will be available. Representatives from the Madison-based animal welfare center will be on hand to facilitate the adoption process and answer any questions. 


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