Two Young Brothers Raise More Than $60K for America’s Veterans — a Reminder That Freedom Isn’t Free as the U.S. Prepares to Celebrate 250
What started as a $359 lemonade stand has grown into more than $60,000 for America’s veterans, and Tee It Up for the Troops is marking the nation’s 250th birthday with a special $250 giving campaign so others can join in to help.
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — As the United States of America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, a national veterans nonprofit is asking Americans to remember the men and women who made that milestone possible, and pointing to two young brothers from Minnesota as proof that gratitude can start at any age.
Five years ago, brothers Noah and Cole Dingels of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, then just seven and four years old, set up a lemonade stand at a Tee It Up for the Troops golf event in their own backyard community. That first year, they counted out $359 and handed over every dollar to support veterans. To those two small boys, it might as well have been a fortune.
It lit a spark. Five years later, that simple lemonade stand has grown to include the sale of golf balls and snacks, and is even sponsored by community businesses. This year, Noah and Cole raised more than $23,000 in a single day at Olympic Hills Golf Club, bringing their five-year total to more than $60,000 for veterans and military families.
Their work has even drawn recognition well beyond Minnesota. The brothers received a letter from U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, commending their effort and their support for those who have served.
“Noah and Cole remind us that you’re never too young to serve something bigger than yourself,” said Chris LaRocque, president and executive director of Tee It Up for the Troops. “What they’ve built from a lemonade stand is exactly what we’re about, neighbors showing up for the men and women who showed up for all of us.”
For the boys’ parents, the stand has always been about more than the money.
“At its heart, this has always been about giving back,” said their mother, Angela Dingels. “The money raised is incredible, but the lessons learned have been just as valuable. Along the way, Noah and Cole have learned how to promote an idea, connect with supporters, develop their communication skills, and think like young entrepreneurs. More importantly, this experience has opened the door to meaningful conversations within our family about patriotism, gratitude, and the service members and veterans who have protected the freedoms we enjoy every day. We’re so grateful to everyone who has encouraged them, supported them, and helped turn a simple lemonade stand into an opportunity to make a difference.”
To mark the 250th birthday,
Tee It Up for the Troops has launched Celebrate 250, a campaign inviting supporters to make a one-time $250 gift, one dollar for each year of American independence, in honor of the service members and veterans who have defended the nation, or to pledge $250 over the year by contributing $20.84 a month. Donations can be made at https://teeitupforthetroops.org/celebrate250/
“America is turning 250 because generations of service members and veterans were willing to sacrifice for it,” said LaRocque. “Noah and Cole understand that in a way we hope others will emulate. This campaign is a simple way for the rest of us to honor it, and to support the men and women who answered the call.”
Founded in 2005, Tee It Up for the Troops engages communities to raise awareness and support for America’s military veterans through golf events, outreach programs and fundraisers. To date, the organization has reunited more than 400 veterans through its REUNION outreach program and deployed more than $19 million in direct support of veterans and military families in partnership with strictly vetted organizations nationwide.
That giving is directed across what the organization calls its six pillars of support: treatment of PTSD and traumatic brain injuries; suicide awareness and prevention; employment; sports and recreation; family and caregiver support; and housing. Together, the pillars are designed to address the connected challenges many service members face when they return home.
Tee It Up for the Troops holds the highest marks available from the nation’s leading charity evaluators, including a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and Platinum recognition from Candid/GuideStar.
As fireworks light the sky this Fourth of July, the organization hopes Americans will remember the meaning behind the celebration, and the example set by two young brothers and a glass of lemonade.
“Freedom isn’t free,” said LaRocque. “Two hundred and fifty years in, the best way to say thank you is to take care of the people who paid for it.”
About Tee It Up for the Troops
Tee It Up for the Troops is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 and based in Burnsville, Minnesota. Its mission is to engage communities to raise awareness and provide support to America’s military veterans by organizing golf events, outreach programs and fundraisers. The organization’s vision is to help military veterans and their families heal, transition, grow and thrive. To learn more, visit teeitupforthetroops.org.
