Boy, 9, raises more than $2K for Detroit

DETROIT, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A Detroit 9-year-old who set up a lemonade stand to benefit his struggling city presented an oversized check for $2,832.64 to officials, his father says.

Flynn Smith, father of lemonade entrepreneur Joshua Smith, said his son far surpassed the $1,000 goal he set when he first started selling lemonade July 30 and the actual money will be transferred electronically, the Detroit Free Press reported Wednesday.

"It's not really been about the money," said the boy's mother, Rhonda Smith. "It's been about his spirit being contagious and allowing people to know that we all can do something to change where we are. ... It's bigger than just making money for the city. It's about changing hearts and minds."

Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, who presented Joshua with the Spirit of Detroit Award last week, called the boy "a wonderful young man."

The boy also received a personal phone call last week from Mayor Dave Bing.

Flynn Smith said the money from Joshua's stand will be earmarked for parks and recreation.