6-year-old Henry Williams (left) man's his lemonade stand outside of his North Las Vegas home to raise money for the American Red Cross. He said he picked the Red Cross because of the program to install free smoke alarms in people's homes.
Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
What: North Las Vegas Kindergartener donating proceeds from his lemonade stand
Who: 6-year-old Henry Williams & family
When: Thursday, October 27, 2022, 5 p.m.
Where: American Red Cross of Southern Nevada office, 444 E. Warm Springs Rd.
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 25, 2022) — When Henry Williams eard about the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada installing smoke alarms for free, he knew where he was going to donate the entire proceeds from his first business. On Thursday, Henry will deliver $881.88 to support the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign to help prevent, prepare, and respond to home fires in Nevada and nationwide.
“I played a game where Elmo and Cookie Monster said we should help our community, and they did a lemonade stand to get books for their library,” Henry said, when asked why he wanted to do a lemonade stand for charity. “I wanted to help my community, too.”
The Red Cross is grateful for all donations, large and small, said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “But Henry’s donation and story literally brought tears to our eyes. For such a young child to have a sense giving to his community is truly heartwarming,” she said.
Henry got up at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, and squeezed all the lemons for the lemonade, according to his mother Heather Williams. “With help from his brother Connor, they also made homemade banana bread to sell at the lemonade stand,” she said. “Then he wanted to make an informed decision on which charity should receive the proceeds.”
He asked his mom to gather information on five charities and where their money goes. “He picked the American Red Cross because he liked that they supply smoke detectors to those in need and help those who have suffered a home fire.”
Henry’s generosity is a family affair
According to Heather, it’s been a challenging spring and fall for Henry and his family with their father, Cody, a U.S. Air Force major, on deployment. “But Cody came home a few days before the lemonade stand opening,” she said.
Henry’s parents and grandfather said they were so impressed with the 6-year-old’s desire to give back to the community, they matched his actual profit of $253.96 to raise the donation total to $881.88. “He served customers all day and never complained,” his mother said. “He is so considerate and empathetic. We are so proud of him.”
About the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign
Since the launch of the national Home Fire Campaign in 2014, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to save more than 1,300 lives nationwide by educating families about fire safety.
Red Cross staff and volunteers prepare families to act quickly through the year-round campaign and springtime Sound the Alarm efforts installing free smoke alarms. During each 20-minute home visit, volunteers, staff, and community partners also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to create an escape plan.
To learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.
How you can help
Volunteers are always needed to help install smoke alarms and share fire safety information with families. No prior experience is needed — training is provided. Those interested can register at SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada. Financial donations are also appreciated to help members of the community prevent and recover from home fires. Learn more about donating at redcross.org/donate.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.