The children are the future!
An 11-year-old boy from Virginia has used money from his lemonade stand to donate more than 22,000 diapers to single mothers.
Cartier Carey is like any other 11-year-old, except he’s collecting diapers in addition to his Beyblades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hampton, Virginia native noticed that the news was reporting a shortage of diapers, which prompted him to find ways to raise money for single mothers who couldn’t afford supplies.
“There was no diapers at all, and I was like, ‘Oh, people are having babies, so I should help [them] afford diapers,'” Cartier told ABC News.
That’s when he came up with the idea to create a lemonade stand. Since July, Cartier has been operating the stand along with his family and friends’ help, raking in $4,500 in his first month alone.
In addition to selling the refreshments, the stand also serves as a diaper collection location for donations. Every night, Cartier and his friends would shut down the stand and use the funds from the day to purchase diapers and wipes for those in need.
Photo Courtesy of @Kids4Change757/Instagram
To date, the budding philanthropist has donated more than 22,000 diapers to single mothers in need. Due to the success of the donations and his commitment to creating change, Cartier and his mom started a non-profit called “Kids 4 Change.” The two have even launched a GoFundMe to raise money for the organization, garnering more than $32,000 of their $100,000 goal.
They hope to expand their operations to accommodate requests that they’ve received for diapers worldwide. Currently, they are setting up several diaper distribution centers across Virginia, while distributing diapers via rented U-Haul trucks and storing the large amount of supplies in their home. Their goal is to eventually purchase their own transportation and a storage facility to continue their operations year-round.
One local woman was moved to tears by Cartier’s efforts and, in an emotional moment caught on video, told the pre-teen how it reminded her of a time when she was a mom in need.
“You are helping so many people. You have no idea,” the woman said through tears. “You see this truck? I didn’t always have this truck. I lived in a church home. And coming from where I came from and now here, it’s because of people like you. People gave me diapers, you know? You’re an amazing young man, and you can go far,” she continued.
Cartier said he would never forget that moment, it gave him the motivation to keep going.
“It was heart-touching. I [almost] cried myself when she gave me a hug and started crying,” he said. “After that, that made me just want to keep doing it.”
Even with school back in session, Cartier has no plans of slowing down. He said his inspiration to continue to work hard and be great comes from the late Kobe Bryant. He hopes that his work can motivate other young people to get involved and become change agents in their community.
“Others can make a difference just like I’m doing right now. They can save lives and be heroes,” Cartier said. “They’re never too young,”
Thank you for all your hard work, Cartier. Keep leading the way!
Follow “Kids 4 Change” on Instagram @Kids4Change757. To donate, click here.
Photo Courtesy of @Kids4Change757/Instagram