Minnesota brothers lauded for patriotism after raising $60k for veterans group with lemonade stand
Two Minnesota brothers are being hailed as leaders of the next generation of American patriots after their lemonade stand raised a whopping sum for a nonprofit that supports veterans.
Noah Dingels, 11, and Cole Dingels, 8, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, first popped up their stand five years ago at a golf tournament hosted in their community by a nonprofit called Tee It Up for the Troops.
The national organization hosts tournaments nationwide to support its six-pillar mission of helping American veterans when they return from war. Those pillars include PTSD and traumatic brain injury support, suicide awareness and prevention, employment, sports and recreation, housing and family and caregiver support.
FLORIDA NONPROFIT HELPS CUT VETERAN SUICIDE RATES BY 25% WITH COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH
"I really liked it, it's cool to see the veterans and present the money at the end of the night," Noah told Fox News Digital about the first year of the lemonade stand in an interview with his brother Cole and mother Angela.
"Honestly, it felt good," Cole added.
In their first go-around, the boys raised $359, which motivated them to grow their operations. They have since raised $60,000 for Tee It Up for the Troops.
"It feels like a lot, and it's fun to do it," Noah said.
Along with lemonade, the boys have added candy bars — Snickers is preferred among tournament players, they said — and golf balls to their sales repertoire.
GARY SINISE FOUNDATION, BUILDING COMPANY PRESENT FREE HOME TO WOUNDED ARMY VETERAN
They have garnered local sponsors over the years, who also chip in to support the boys in their mission.
"The lemonade stand has always been about giving back, and so the boys have done a great job of using their time and talents every year to show their patriotism and show their gratitude to our veterans," their mother Angela said.
She described the fundraising efforts as "contagious," and said community members, including Noah and Cole's classmates and sports teammates often stop by the stand to offer them support.
"It's been a really cool opportunity," she continued. "During the event, they get to meet different veterans, thank them for their service and show their love for our country."
One of those veterans is Harry Wisdom, a decorated U.S. Army helicopter pilot who was awarded a Silver Star for his heroism during the Vietnam War.
But Wisdom, now 86, found another use for his prestigious award.
"He very graciously brought that [Silver Star] and gave that to the boys last year at the lemonade stand as a sign of his appreciation for their work and everything they're doing to support veterans," Angela said. "He wrote them an incredible letter, and so it's just been a very special connection that we look forward to every year."
Tee It Up for the Troops was founded in 2005 and is based in Burnsville, Minnesota.
Chris LaRocque, an Army reserve officer himself, is the group's executive director and president.
"We've we've raised, just over $19 million in funds that have gone to directly support veterans and their families," he told Fox News Digital. The organization has supported 400,000 military families over its 21-year lifespan.
Aside from the golf tournaments held across this country, 45 of which are on the calendar this year, Tee It Up for the Troops hosts an annual event in Florida called REUNION, which brings together veterans who forged friendships in the service.
"REUNION brings together combat veterans and battle buddies, that they've lost connection with, as well as some of their family members," said LaRocque. "We go through a lot of their stories, through shared experiences. We have small group leaders and mentors there, and it's really a powerful experience and really a unique thing."
Of course, LaRocque had high praise for Noah and Cole.
"We'll receive donations that are made out to Noah and Cole's lemonade stand or Tee It Up for the Troops," he said. "What a cool thing that these young entrepreneurs, young men that are growing, want to do something bigger than themselves."
'DOWN TO ZERO': VETERAN SUICIDE CRISIS TARGETED IN VA BILL BY BIPARTISAN HOUSE COALITION
"What a great message for all of us in our country, especially at the 250th anniversary of our founding," he added.
LaRocque who has been deployed overseas three times recently and has combat experience, describes Tee It Up for the Troops' mission as near and dear to his heart.
The reason we're able to to celebrate the 250th is because of generations of men and women that have sacrificed for it, sometimes ultimately with their lives," he said, adding that he believes America is still the greatest country in the world despite facing some challenges.
"What's so special to me is that we've got some, some young men that are seeing that more than many. and doing something about it," said LaRocque of Noah and Cole.
"They're like stepping up and going, 'hey, here's something we could do. I see this as like a gap. I want to help our community and veterans in our community and do something bigger than just an individual effort.' And, I think it's special."