We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Parkhurst recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

Faith Ruiz was Lemon Aide Projects biggest fund thus far. Her story was close to a nightmare. In 2019, Her children were kidnapped and taken to Mexico. The man was arrested and the kids were stuck being held at child protective services while faith was in the US. Lemon Aide Aide Project had to provide funds for plane tickets, new passports, and hotel stays umong other things. This was an adventure to say the least. Faith has been in contact still thanking us for the favor she can never repay. We are blessed to have helped her reconnect with her children. One of the proudest achievements Lemon Aide Project has had to date.

Our charity focuses on disaster relief and wildfire relief/recovery, but we will never turn down a request for help. We will do everything in our power to help each individual situation however we can.

Luckily for us, a private donor specifically reached out and helped this individual. We contacted correct authorities, border patrol, the US embassy, and more!

This entire situation was emotional from beginning to end, but our help saved the lives of those children and put them safely back in their mother’s arms.

Every single story we have funded is extremely emotional and heart breaking. We are here in the midst of intense and difficult situations. Many being on their last rope of hope.

I have been in the same position before and want to continue to make the lives of those around me better, in any way I can.

Every single day is a day to help others. My hope and prayer is that those around us see the current struggles of our neighbors and lends a hand.

Here is another story of somebody we have helped, like stated earlier, every single person we have helped has been through an extremely difficult situation.

This was written by KRYSTAL ANDERTON & FAMILY

“At approximately 12:00 AM, a fire broke out at our neighbor’s residence, spreading to our property. My family and I were awoken by screams and banging on the door. We quickly responded, discovering the front of the neighboring house engulfed in flames. We immediately alerted our family members and evacuated the premises.

My mother grabbed the fire extinguisher, but it proved ineffective. My oldest brother, Vintz, attempted to use the hose, but the water supply was not functioning. Meanwhile, I called 911 while my brother Keith tried to rescue his dog.

As the fire spread, we realized the severity of the situation. Vintz attempted to save belongings by throwing them over the fence, while Keith tried to retrieve our pet snake. My mother ensured the safety of our nephew and pets, moving them to our car.

My brothers attempted to retrieve a significant amount of cash left in my room, but the thick smoke and heat hindered their efforts. The firefighters arrived, and my mother was stopped from re-entering the house to retrieve my brothers.

The firefighters located Keith on the back deck, searching for his dog. We reunited, shaken, and watched as the firefighters battled the blaze. They worked tirelessly, even searching for the lost cash and recovering some charred remains.

We are grateful for the firefighters’ bravery and dedication. Despite the challenges, they ensured our safety and salvaged what they could. We appreciate their efforts and acknowledge the trauma we experienced that night.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Shannon Parkhurst, founder of the Lemon Aide Project charity organization. Our mission is to promote independent sustainability within communities, focusing on disaster relief and support. With firsthand experience in California’s disaster-affected areas, we understand the challenges faced by those impacted and are determined to make a meaningful difference.

Our organization is uniquely positioned to provide effective aid due to our personal experiences and ability to empathize with disaster victims. We’ve witnessed the devastating effects of wildfires and are committed to bringing hope and support to those in need.

What sets us apart from other organizations is our personal connection to the cause and our ability to understand the complexities of disaster relief. As California wildfires continue to intensify and natural climate-related disasters become more frequent, the need for our organization’s services is ever-present.

Our goal is to expand our reach nationally, currently serving the entire state of California. With your generous donations, we can enhance our disaster relief efforts, implement sustainable solutions, and aid in the recovery and rebuilding processes. Your contribution will be utilized efficiently to maximize our impact and bring positive change to the lives of disaster-affected individuals and the environment.

Thank you for considering a donation to the Lemon Aide Project. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by disasters.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met my co-founder, Chelsea, under serendipitous circumstances when I sold her a walker for her infant son. This chance encounter blossomed into a profound friendship, rooted in our shared passion for helping others in need. Chelsea’s personal experience of losing her home and belongings in the devastating Tubbs fire deepened our connection, as we empathized with the trauma and resilience required to overcome such a disaster.

United by our determination to make a positive impact, we joined forces to establish the Lemon Aide Project. Our organization’s mission is built on the foundation of our personal experiences, compassion, and unwavering commitment to supporting those affected by disasters.

The universe brought us together, and we are grateful for that moment. Our partnership has yielded something truly remarkable, and we continue to grow and expand our reach, driven by our shared vision of providing aid and hope to those who need it most.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Shannon Parkhurst, Founder of Lemon Aide Project

“It began with a humble Facebook group, created to provide support to those in need. As the community grew to over 10,000 members, I realized that a more comprehensive approach was necessary to address the overwhelming requests for assistance. The current economic climate has exacerbated the struggles of many, and it became clear that a localized, yet extendable, solution was required.

Initially, I envisioned an organization called ‘Instant Help,’ aimed at providing immediate support. However, I soon understood that without a defined scope, it would be challenging to make a meaningful impact. This realization led to the formation of the Lemon Aide Project, a charity organization dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by disasters and economic hardship.

Through our social media presence, which evolved organically, we have been able to connect with those in need and mobilize support. I firmly believe that it is our collective responsibility to alleviate the suffering of others and contribute to creating a better world. By continuing to help others and grow as individuals, we can make a lasting, positive impact.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.lemonaideproject.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemon_aide_project_?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemonAideProject?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lemon-aide-project/
• Twitter: @Lemon_Aide_NP
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lemonaideproject1728?si=hGeVbBeXSVquXST9
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/MgoTLrlAxW