Over the past few months, Kordelia Coyne has made it her mission to honor first responders. And, so far, the 9-year-old from Gloucester has raised thousands of dollars to shower them with gift cards as a way of showing her appreciation for all they do.
Kordelia held her first lemonade stand on June 28, and since then she’s been busy making lemonade and cookies. Most recently, she held a fundraiser on Sept. 26 at Scoot’s BBQ at Gloucester Point (where she raised $1,109) and on Oct. 10 at M&M Building Supply in Mathews (where she raised more than $1,000). As of last Thursday, her total raised is over $3,000.
She started this fundraising project when she witnessed her neighbor being treated negatively after becoming a state trooper in March and she wanted him and other first responders to “feel that they’re still loved and appreciated.”
Her parents, Shawn and Mary Coyne, thought her lemonade stand was going to be a one-time thing, but people started sharing their Facebook page, Kordelia’s Lemonade Stand, and the donations kept pouring in. The “Kordelia’s Lemonade Stand” page has grown as well, with more than 650 people following it as of last week.
So far, Kordelia has reached out to over 200 first responders all over Virginia and also in North Carolina, Colorado, Texas and California. Each $10 gift card is either from 7-Eleven, Taco Bell or Subway and includes a personalized thank-you note signed by Kordelia.
Shawn Coyne said that Kordelia has always been shy, but this fundraising project has helped her come out of her shell. He also said that she has always been giving and caring.
Kordelia plans to continue raising money for the gift cards throughout the fall and winter, but will switch from lemonade to hot chocolate and apple cider as the weather gets cooler.
She is also collecting school supplies and so far has distributed 20 book bags filled with school supplies to Mathews County Public Schools.
Kordelia is a fourth grade student, her favorite subject is history and she likes to play softball.
To any first responders reading this, Kordelia would like to say “Thank you and you are still loved and appreciated.”
To learn more about her fundraising projects visit facebook.com/kordeliaslemonadestand.
