Statesboro girl honored for volunteer work

12-year-old Ava Mincey, from Statesboro, has raised more than $2,000 for Alzheimer’s research through her Ava’s Lemonade stand and online donations. Her stand has grown to include multiple flavors and now even making deliveries around Statesboro and neighboring counties. For her efforts, Ava has been named one of two Georgia Top Youth Volunteer Honorees in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Today, Ava took some time to speak with WTOC Jake Wallace about her efforts, the honor, and what’s next. To donate to Ava’s cause, go to: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=personal&px=17726287&fr_id=14408&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wtoc.
Posted by WTOC-TV on Tuesday, February 16, 2021

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Ava Mincey knows how to make lemonade do more than just beat the south Georgia heat.

Ava has raised more than $2000 for Alzheimer’s Disease research by selling her “Ava’s Lemonade” and through online donations.

What started as a lemonade stand has evolved into a venture with Ava selling multiple flavors of her lemonade in multiple locations and making deliveries across Statesboro and neighboring counties.

“I just wanted to raise money and donate back, and I thought of lemonade. We used to make lemonade all the time,” Ava says. “We have big gallon orders that we have to do every week. It grew so much over the summer. We didn’t think it would grow because of the pandemic, but it just grew unexpectedly.”

Ava's Lemonade has grown to a venture in which the sixth grader is selling multiple flavors and... — Ava's Lemonade has grown to a venture in which the sixth grader is selling multiple flavors and making deliveries.(Mincey Family)

For her efforts, the sixth grader at William James Middle School has been named one of two 2021 Georgia Top Youth Volunteer honorees through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The award grants Ava a $2500 scholarship and she’s now eligible to be named a national honoree later this year.

“It was so unexpected. I just thought I’d be able to help and donate to help find a cure,” Ava says. “But now I can do even more. It just helps me grow and inspires me to keep going.”

After her desire to give back was grown during church youth group trips to nursing homes, Ava found a cause that was personal to her family.

Her great grandmother, who Ava never met, had passed away from Alzheimer’s.

“My mom used to just tell me stories about her,” she says. “I just got inspired because I just wanted to help and it just ran through my family.”

Statesboro 12 year old Ava Mincey has raised more than $2000 for Alzheimer's research through... — Statesboro 12 year old Ava Mincey has raised more than $2000 for Alzheimer's research through sales of her "Ava's Lemonade" and online donations.(Mincey Family)

Her work could lead to even more recognition. As a state honoree, Ava is now eligible to be among ten national winners through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. If she wins, Ava will receive an additional $5000 scholarship and a $5000 grant for the non-profit charity of her choice. National winners will be announced in April.

To help with Ava’s cause, go to https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=personal&px=17726287&fr_id=14408. To learn more about the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, go to https://spirit.prudential.com/.