Young entrepreneur's lemonade stand helps child crisis center

Imagine being 6½ years old and asking your parents if you could raise money to help abused children.

That's exactly what Madison McShanag did for an organization that was close to her heart, West Valley Child Crisis Center.

Madison was one of 1,000 young entrepreneurs around the nation who was selected by Crayons Inc. to have a lemonade stand and product for a day. Crayons supplied the children with 120 free cans of its new lemonade product and all the materials to customize the stands to reflect the charities they chose.

On a hot summer day, Madison and the rest of her family stood outside the Albertson's store on 59^th Avenue and Beardsley Road, selling lemonade and cookies to incoming and outgoing customers. She raised $330 for West Valley Child Crisis Center.

"This has been a wonderful experience and has taught our daughter and her brothers about having a giving heart," said Misty McShanag, Madison's mother.

Madison will have another fund-raising activity for West Valley Child Crisis Center in the near future.

WVCCC provides a safe haven for children who have been victims of or at risk of abuse and neglect. At WVCCC's Kid's Campus, children receive care in a loving, family-style environment that fosters a sense of self-worth and respect for self and others.

WVCCC is active within the community to increase awareness of its mission to serve children in need and to prevent the cycle of child abuse.

For information, contact Theresa Blevins, director of marketing and events, at 623-344-3502 or e-mail: tblevins@wvccc.org.