The smallest members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Rappahannock have some really big hearts.

When the children of UUFR heard that the Northern Neck Partners for Pets needed to collect $2.5 million so they can build a 70-bed no-kill shelter, the children immediately decided they needed to help.

Millie Mayhew, 9, suggested they have a lemonade stand as a fundraiser and Tri-Star Supermarket in Kilmarnock agreed to host a four-hour lemonade stand on Aug. 30.

Ten children between the ages of 3-12 each worked an hour shift selling lemonade and bake sale items. By the end of the day, they had collected $1,300 for the Northern Neck Partners for Pets.

“This wasn’t just a lemonade stand; it was a lesson in hearing about a big problem and doing their part to help,” a UUFR release stated. “They were practicing kindness, learning empathy and how they can make a bigger difference by working together as a team.”

Each of the UUFR children will select a service project...