'Lemonade Kid' raises money for camp

Michael Hansberry-The Auburn Villager Arian Nakhjavan, left, with a happy customer.

Life gave Arian Nakhjavan lemons and he opened a lemonade stand. The 7-year-old "Lemonade Kid" has been working at his lemonade stand since the beginning of summer. He has been raising money to benefit Camp iCare, a summer camp for kids, ages 6 to 12, designed to teach young campers about financial responsibility and how philanthropy is part of that responsibility.

Nakhjaven sits curbside in front of his home, located on Chewacla between Thach and Samford Avenue, and greets every car that passes in hopes of getting money for a cup of lemonade and a cookie.

"I just wave them down and say ‘come on by, don't be worried, it's just a donation,'" he said.

This was the inaugural year for the four-day long camp. iCare is a joint effort sponsored by the Auburn University's Women's Philanthropy Board (WPB) and the Auburn University Early Learning Center. Nakhjavan's mother, Sidney James, heads the WPB, which is part of the College of Human Sciences.

"The core issues of financial and philanthropic responsibility are fundamental, no matter what age you are. The principles still apply," said James, who also teaches a class called gender, wealth and philanthropy at AU.

James has been training her son to be businesslike and smart in dealing with his money. He sets his own hours, counts the money and keeps the books.

"I like selling lemonade because it's a way to give to others stuff they really need," Nakhjavan said. "We were talking about Camp iCare and how we were going to raise money and I said ‘well why don't we start a lemonade stand?' I thought it was a fast way to raise money and because it's so hot outside, the lemonade will take the heat out of your body."

Nakhjavan raised almost $430 in just 17 days. This year's camp session ended July 15, but Nakhjavan is still out there waving cars down, raising money for next year's session.

This year, his sales funded tuition for two Boys & Girls Club members to attend the camp as well as an ice cream party.

"I'm doing the most I can do to help others," he said. "My hard work is being out here and getting customers."

Nakhjaven also attended iCare and said he learned a lot about money and how to apply that knowledge to his lemonade stand.

"I learned money smarts because my mom made me count the money from the lemonade stand," he said.

James stresses the importance of teaching children financial planning and responsibility at a young age.

"To have the freedom of choice and to flex your philanthropic muscle is one of the most important opportunities that we as Americans have," James said. "Take advantage of the freedom."

One camp activity required the 22 campers to identify what is important to them, and what philanthropies they want to support. James said the camp taught about core issues, such as distinguishing wants from needs, as well as leadership and giving

"We've lost our way in financial responsibility," James said. "To be financially responsible is universal. It doesn't matter the age, gender or socioeconomic status. I found by working with WPB and college kids that people want to talk about these issues, but they just don't how."

The campers learned about Truett Cathy, the founder of Atlanta-based Chik-fil-A, who is known for his philanthropy, as they munched on Chik-fil-A chicken. Former professional golfer Nancy Lopez, the 2006 winner of the College of Human Sciences' Lifetime Achievement Award, also spoke to campers, along with Auburn University's famous mascot, Aubie.

"We are very pleased with what took place and how the kids became engaged," James said. "We were successful in what we sought to achieve--enabling kids to be responsible with giving and resources."

She said she hoped campers took away a feeling of empowerment and a can-do spirit from their days at Camp iCare.

"I can be responsible," she said. "I can distinguish between wants versus needs. I can be philanthropic and I can make it happen."