CHICAGO — As the scorching summer sun set on the City of Chicago Tuesday, two young girls wrapped up a second day of running a lemonade stand in the city’s Roseland neighborhood, hoping to raise enough money to see the Chicago Sky and their favorite player, Angel Reese, take on the Indiana Fever Friday.
At the corner of Princeton and 111th Street, Jade and Joy Lee — Who are going into the sixth and seventh grades, respecitvely — Came up with an idea for the lemonade stand to raise money to pay for tickets and hopefully see Reese in one of the sports worlds’ most exciting matchups.
“I really want to meet her very badly,” said Jade Lee. “I’ve been following her journey for a very long time.”
On Monday, the girls raised $400, catching the attention of Chicago entrepreneur Early Walker, who came by to meet Jade and Joy.
“You could be doing anything right now and you’re out here in the sun on the hottest day of the year, serving lemonade? Kudos to you guys for that!” Walker said. “So, I have a question. How many lemonades can I get for $1000?”
A business partner of Walker’s also offered to match his donation to the girls’ lemonade stand — $2,000 for tickets, plus a limo ride to the game and dinner at a five-star restaurant.
“I want you guys to have the night of your life,” said Kevin Corcoran, CEO of VMS Solutions, over the phone. “You guys deserve it, 100%. I think it’s great.”
According to the girls’ grandfather, Bishop Jerome Powell, this isn’t the first time the two have shown an entrepreneurial spirit, which has often led to Jade and Joy trying to help others.
“They came up with the idea with the ministry, Hot Dog for a Hug,” Powell said. “You know, people come for prayer, they give them a hot dog, pray with them, [then] give them a hug.
“They’ve been coming up with a whole lot of things and I’m excited. I’m very proud of my grandkids. They’re just amazing.”
Walker said he has reached out to the Sky to see if they can arrange a VIP experience for the girls, or even see if a surprise visit could be made to their lemonade stand tomorrow.
“I was shocked! My daughter called me and said they’re going to do this. I said, ‘What are you talking about?'” Powell said. “This man is going to get tickets and do something special.
“To see my grandkids get the surprise, I think it will be awesome. It will give them a big lift … And show other people, if you put forth the effort, anything can happen.”