Athena Boyd: Lemonade & Literacy!

photos by Denise Hall

One Stockton nine-year-old is sharing her love of reading with local kindergarteners by raising money to buy them a book.

Denise Hall, a first-grade teacher at Oakwood Elementary, saw a post by a colleague on Facebook about Alan Cook’s First Day book project that aims to provide Stockton Unified kindergarteners a brand-new picture book on their first day of school. She shared the idea with her granddaughter because she was looking for ways to teach her how to be of service to others. Now, for the third year in a row, Athena Boyd is hosting a lemonade stand Tuesday, July 15, from 6pm to 8pm, to fund her book purchases. “I like raising money and helping a lot of people,” young Athena said.

Athena, who is enjoying her summer on the Lincoln 1&5 swim team, will be heading into fourth grade at Oakwood Elementary. Her grandmother helps her make the lemonade and brownies that will be sold at the stand. Sometimes people donate, even if they can’t stop by for a sweet treat and a refreshing drink, that particular day. Often, those who make a purchase give a little extra for the good cause.

“My favorite book of the books I buy for them is called If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” Athena said, on her first day of summer break from school. “We normally get about $200 and most books are about $15 each.” Alan’s grateful for Athena’s support. “She is a delightful person,” he said. So far, he said, her efforts have netted 49 books.
And she hopes to purchase even more. “Every year, it just gets better and better,” Athena smiled.