Two Minnesota brothers are raising the next generation of American patriots — one lemonade sale at a time.
Noah Dingels, 11, and Cole Dingels, 8, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, have raised $60,000 for veterans through a lemonade stand they’ve run for five years at golf tournaments hosted by Tee It Up for the Troops.
The national nonprofit supports veterans through six mission pillars: PTSD and traumatic brain injury support, suicide awareness and prevention, employment, sports and recreation, housing, and family and caregiver support.
“I really liked it, it’s cool to see the veterans and present the money at the end of the night.”
The boys started small in their first year, raising $359. That success motivated them to expand.
Now they sell lemonade, candy bars — Snickers is the tournament favorite — and golf balls. Local sponsors have stepped up to support their mission.
“The lemonade stand has always been about giving back, and so the boys have done a great job of using their time and talents every year to show their patriotism and show their gratitude to our veterans,” their mother Angela told Fox News Digital.
She described the fundraising efforts as “contagious.” Community members, including Noah and Cole’s classmates and sports teammates, often stop by the stand to offer support.
“During the event, they get to meet different veterans, thank them for their service and show their love for our country,” Angela said.
One of those veterans is Harry Wisdom, a decorated U.S. Army helicopter pilot awarded a Silver Star for heroism during the Vietnam War.
Wisdom, now 86, brought his Silver Star to the lemonade stand last year and gave it to the boys as a sign of appreciation.
“He wrote them an incredible letter, and so it’s just been a very special connection that we look forward to every year.”
Tee It Up for the Troops was founded in 2005 and is based in Burnsville, Minnesota. Chris LaRocque, an Army reserve officer, serves as the group’s executive director and president.
The organization has raised over $19 million and supported 400,000 military families over its 21-year lifespan.
Aside from the 45 golf tournaments held across the country this year, Tee It Up for the Troops hosts an annual event in Florida called REUNION, which brings together veterans who forged friendships in service.
“REUNION brings together combat veterans and battle buddies, that they’ve lost connection with, as well as some of their family members,” LaRocque said. “We go through a lot of their stories, through shared experiences. We have small group leaders and mentors there, and it’s really a powerful experience and really a unique thing.”
LaRocque had high praise for Noah and Cole.
“What a cool thing that these young entrepreneurs, young men that are growing, want to do something bigger than themselves,” he said.
“What a great message for all of us in our country, especially at the 250th anniversary of our founding.”
LaRocque, who has been deployed overseas three times and has combat experience, describes Tee It Up for the Troops’ mission as near and dear to his heart.
“The reason we’re able to celebrate the 250th is because of generations of men and women that have sacrificed for it, sometimes ultimately with their lives,” he said.
LaRocque believes America is still the greatest country in the world despite facing challenges.
“What’s so special to me is that we’ve got some young men that are seeing that more than many, and doing something about it,” LaRocque said of Noah and Cole.
“They’re like stepping up and going, ‘hey, here’s something we could do. I see this as like a gap. I want to help our community and veterans in our community and do something bigger than just an individual effort.’ And, I think it’s special.”
