A 9-year-old boy has taken the initiative to set up a lemonade stand, aiming to raise funds for his own adoption. Young Oliver Thompson spent last weekend selling lemonade for $1 a cup, each sale bringing him closer to officially becoming part of his forever family. “I’m really happy because I have a new mom who loves me,” Oliver shared, referring to Emily Johnson, who has been caring for him since he was just a few months old.
Emily organized a yard sale alongside Oliver at their home in Springfield, Missouri, hoping to gather the $5,000 needed for legal expenses. She and her husband, Mark, already consider Oliver their son. “It means the world to us. He is absolutely our child. He’s in our hearts,” Emily expressed. “This is mainly for his reassurance, so he knows he has a permanent family and our last name.”
Oliver’s biological mother reached out to Emily for help when he was an infant, struggling with addiction. At one point, she attempted to care for him but left him at the doorstep of a shelter on a freezing day in 2012. The shelter reached out to Emily, who had been part of Oliver’s life, and she was terrified about his well-being.
“Honestly, I was scared to death,” she recalled. “I worried about how he was feeling, what was going through his mind.” Since then, Emily and Mark have been Oliver’s guardians. “In our hearts, he is our son, and no one can tell us otherwise. He wants to be legally ours,” she said.
Oliver feels a strong sense of belonging. “I know she takes care of me and is responsible,” he said of Emily. “I know she’s going to be a great mother.” The family needed to gather the funds to make it official, and their lemonade stand and yard sale drew significant support from the community. They raised around $7,100 from these events.
Oliver’s heartwarming story captured national attention, leading the family to create an online fundraiser on YouCaring.com, where they shared their journey. As of Monday morning, they had received $8,410 in donations along with many encouraging messages from supporters. “Words cannot express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed,” Emily said. “This wouldn’t be possible without their kindness. We will ensure this child remains ours forever.”
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In summary, Oliver Thompson, a determined 9-year-old, has embarked on a lemonade-selling venture to fund his adoption, showcasing the unbreakable bond he shares with his adoptive mom, Emily. Their story of love and resilience has touched many hearts, leading to generous support from the community.