Gianna Shwallon, 5, is selling lemonade to raise money for school supplies for children in need.

CLINTON TWP — When Gianna Shwallon learned not every little boy and girl can buy school supplies, she was surprised.

“Whaaaaaaaat,” said Gianna, 5, as she drew out the letter 'a'. “Sad” is what she felt.

That is when the South Butler County School District incoming kindergartener had a bright yellow idea — lemons.

Gianna plans to sell lemonade every Friday in July from noon to 4 p.m. at the John W. Thrower Inc. corporate office, 409 Saxonburg Blvd., to raise money in partnership with the Lighthouse Foundation for children who need school supplies.

Lemonade hit the stand July 12 on the first day Gianna was open for business.

Kaity Shwallon of Cabot baked treats and prepared for the opening along with her daughter, she said.

“It's definitely fun to be out here with her and teach her, but also make memories,” Shwallon said. “One of the things I try to instill in all of my kids is that we need to be respectful of the things we have because not everybody gets the same thing.”

This is an excerpt from a story in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.