Keith Boyd Launches Lemonade Stand Around Tulsa
Tulsa, OK (June 18, 2014) – Ten-year-old Keith Boyd, CEO of Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade Stand, is teaming up with entrepreneurship education resource Thrive15 and several local businesses to make lemonade out of lemons. Boyd, who was born with nonverbal cerebral palsy and is unable to use his arms, legs or mouth, set out to raise $250,000 for The Little Light House, a Tulsa-based development center for children with special needs. The Little Light House gifted him with the technology that allows him to now verbally communicate. The Tobii EyeMobile is a tool that allows Boyd to communicate by using his eyes to type what he wants to say on a screen, which is then verbalized by the tool. In response to this gift, Boyd crafted a business plan to set up lemonade stands around Tulsa for the summer, the proceeds of which would benefit The Little Light House. “My goal is to raise money for The Little Light House where I went to school until I was six. They have done so much for me; I want to give back so other kids can go to that school without paying any money, “ said Keith Boyd.
Recognizing Boyd’s entrepreneurial spirit, local franchised Chick-fil-A Operator and Thrive15 mentor Arthur Greeno reached out to Keith’s parents to ask how he could make the lemonade stands become a reality. Greeno enlisted the help of other Thrive15 mentors, who helped create a website for the lemonade stands and to secure local sponsors and media partners for the initiative. Additionally, Greeno secured donations of lemons and tea for the stands.
“I knew I had to meet Keith when I heard his story,” said Greeno. “I was so inspired when he shared his business plan with me that he had written with his eyes. Many people dream big, but to take action is very admirable.”
“Thrive15 was honored to provide Keith the tools he needs to succeed in business,” says Thrive15 CEO Clay Clark. “Keith reminds us that it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, you can thrive if you are diligent.”
Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade Stands will launch on Wednesday, June 18 at ten Tulsa area business locations and will be open every Wednesday from June 18 through August 20 between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For donation of any amount, guests will receive a cup of either Chick-fil-A Lemonade or Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea. For donations of $100 or more, guests will receive a reusable Chick-fil-A cup that they can take to any Tulsa-area Chick-fil-A restaurant through August 20 for unlimited beverage refills.
Participating sponsors of Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade Stand include: Thrive15.com, Tulsa-area Chick-fil-A restaurants, Bob Hurley Ford, Lawn America, KOKI Fox 23, The Apothecary Shoppe, The Vintage Pearl, The Journey Training, M&M Lumber Co., Sunkist, Tetley, TetleyHarris Food Group, Lamar Advertising Group, American Waste Control, Halo Branded Solutions, Domino Foods, Bryan Smith State Farm Agency, E-Z Up, Red Dog Construction and Healthy Living Games.
