While many youngsters take part in community service projects through school, church or Scouting, four local students - Nora and Natalie Winchester, Harper Hume Stoltzfus and Ariadne Gaudiello - organized a fundraiser on their own, raising $250 for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) by holding a sale of lemonade and homemade bracelets.

Harper and Nora, age 11, and Natalie, age 8, are students in the Octorara Area School District, while Ariadne, age 9, attends Collegium Charter School in Exton.

In preparation for the sale, which was held at the Winchester home in Parkesburg, the girls made more than 100 bracelets and several gallons of lemonade to sell. "The bracelets were made out of rubber bands in various color combinations and sizes," said Nora and Natalie's mother, Kara Winchester. "They sold each bracelet and cup of lemonade for 50 cents. We didn't advertise it, but (the fundraiser) spread through word of mouth, and a lot of people stopped by. People gave extra donations when they heard it was for a children's hospital."

"Selling the lemonade and seeing all the people stop by was the most fun," said Nora.

"We were happy (at the amount raised); we thought we would raise $150," added Natalie.

Kara said that the girls chose CHOP because they wanted to support the Child Program, which provides toys and activities for patients that are designed to make them feel more comfortable during their hospital stay. "The girls wanted to be sure that kids experiencing medical treatment at CHOP are provided not only with top-notch medical treatment, but also that there are funds available to make sure the kids in the hospital have items to make their stay in the hospital a little bit brighter," noted Kara. "Child Life purchases different items and toys and video games to occupy them."

For their efforts, the girls received certificates and thank you notes. "I contacted CHOP to see if they could drop off the donation, but that wasn't possible, so I mailed a check with a letter from the girls," Kara added. "CHOP sent them each a thank you letter and a certificate of recognition for their donation."

For more information on contributing to the Child Life program, visit http://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/child-life-education-and-creative-arts-therapy/donate.