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The Downs Syndrome Association of Houston [DSAH] serves over 1200 area families.

Last year they participated in Lemonade Day Houston for the first time. Their goal? They wanted to “buy a brick.” You see, they’ve outgrown their facility north of town and have their eyes on a beautiful building for sale that would allow them to grow and serve more children and adults with Downs Syndrome. So they started a capital campaign – for $1000, you can “buy a brick” to help them get closer to their goal of buying their new facility.

On Lemonade Day they set up four stands at local businesses. They told potential customers, “We’re going to buy our building … one lemonade at a time.” They made $952. And then a generous customer learned of their goal – and tipped them $50. They had done it. Together this group proved that “they’re more alike than different.” They had set a goal, made a plan, worked their plan and achieved their goal.

Ms. Boyd and Ms. Fendel, teachers at DSAH, used the Lemonade Day curriculum to teach the students about science, math and art. In science class they learned about measurements and ratios by making their lemonade recipes [regular and cherry]; they learned to make change for customers in math class; and in art class they made posters for their stands.

And then, they made a cheer.

We were so touched by their story, we talked to Kroger* and asked if they could help these kids get closer to their new building this year. And then something magical happened. Kroger offered to host nine DSAH stands across Houston. But wait it gets better. Kroger also offered each stand a $50 gift certificate to cover their supplies. But wait, it gets better. This year the students’ goal is $3000. Kroger has offered to match their profits up to $3000. That’s potentially $6000 for these students who are working together to prove they aren’t as different as some people may perceive. They, too, are entrepreneurs.