-
Lincoln’s Community Fundraiser
Lincoln’s Community Fundraiser: How One Young Entrepreneur Raised Thousands for Lurie Children’s
August 6, 2024
Growing up, Lincoln was inspired by his grandmother’s dedication to giving back, especially to children’s charities. After her passing, Lincoln wanted to honor her memory, sparking his journey with the community fundraising program at Lurie Children’s.
“In our mind, no one helps kids better than Lurie Children’s so that was an easy choice,” said Lincoln’s mom, Andrea. Determined to make a difference, Lincoln quickly grew his fundraising from a simple lemonade stand to a full-fledged business, all with the goal of supporting the patients and families at Lurie Children’s.
Turning Passion into Action: Starting a Fundraiser for Lurie Children’s
After a minor surgery at Lurie Children’s when he was 8 years old, Lincoln’s eyes were open to sick kids and their needs.
“It was important for him to fundraise for Lurie Children’s because these were Chicago kids, just like him, that needed help. Who better to help them than a Chicago kid,” said Andrea.
You may have seen Lincoln’s Dogs rolling their cart around at a community event, around the hospital, or even in your local park, but they weren’t always your favorite neighborhood hotdog stand. Their relationship with Lurie Children’s started with lemonade. After finding his fundraising inspiration, Lincoln hosted his very first lemonade stand at the Lincoln Park Zoo at just 9 years old. He was so excited he asked his parents if he could go back out again that night on the way home. That summer, with the help from his community barber shop, he raised over $500. Lincoln doubled his goal the second year and knew he had to go to even busier places. He took his lemonade stand on the road and attended a 101.9fm The MIX bags tournament, multiple Rosemont concerts, Chicago Dogs baseball games, a Lurie Children’s community fundraising photo shoot, and Wrigley Field to sell to employees and fans.
In 2020, Lincoln took his entrepreneurial spirit to a whole new level and instead of shutting down the lemonade stand, he went virtual.
“So very many times that we went out, we heard stories about how Lurie Children’s helped families. People would see his stand and make u-turns in their cars to just put some money in the box and share their story,” said Andrea.
Thinking Outside the (Lemonade) Box
As a child, Lincoln had a unique dream of owning a hot dog stand. When he turned 13 years old, he pursued his dream by attending Vienna Beef’s Hot Dog University. That following summer, his dream finally came to fruition. The hot dog stand we know and love today, Lincoln Dog’s, officially started raising money for Lurie Children’s.
“Every time we went out with this mission in mind, it was special. Every single time. He was so empowered by doing something really fun for kids from his city who needed help,” said Andrea.
What started as a small lemonade stand at the Lincoln Park Zoo, has become a full hot dog cart business. To date, Lincoln and his family have raised over $9,500 in life-changing funds for the patients at Lurie Children’s.
“It’s important to donate and support Lurie Children’s because we all know kids that they have helped. Kids they will help,” said Andrea. “Linc always hoped that he would motivate other kids to set up lemonade stands and make a difference in the lives of others. Little kids can make a big difference.”
Start your own fundraiser for Lurie Children’s
You can start your own fundraiser like Lincoln and change lives for the patients and families at Lurie Children’s. By registering online you can gain access to a personal fundraising page. There, you will find resources to make your fundraiser a success and access to our Community Fundraising team who will help you along the way! You can also check out all the best ways to raise money for Lurie Children’s including kid-friendly fundraising ideas. Search our blog Search
