7-year-old's lemon-"aid" stand raises $1,500 to help Carr Fire victims

CHICO, Calif. — Seven-year-old Lila Pratt watched the television coverage of the Carr Fire and decided to take action.

"The people in Redding don't have their homes any more," said Lila, who enjoys selling lemonade in front of her parents' home in Cal Park on Trinity Lane in Chico.

Her lemonade stand packed quite a punch between Sunday and Wednesday, raising in excess of $1,500 which went toward disaster relief organizations including the American Red Cross.

Much of the proceeds were used to purchase supplies which were given to the Red Cross.

"We just wanted to help them out with their blankets and stuff like that," said Lila. "I just thought it was a really good idea to help the people."

Word spread through Facebook and other social media and the lemonade stand received a lot of business, including a visit from a Cal Fire crew.

"We had people come by and say, 'here keep the change,' handing us $20s," said Kirrin Pratt, Lila's mother.

For Ms. Pratt the work on the lemonade stand has the additional benefit of teaching her children proper values.

"That it's better to give than to receive," said Ms. Pratt. "I want her growing up living that lifestyle."

Lila's lemon-aid stand will be open again on Saturday at 10 a.m.