Kids are full of dreams. As parents, we only want to support them and give them the chance to fulfill their dreams.

This is what Karen Smidt felt when her 9-year-old twins, Katelyn and Elias, told her that they wanted to build their lemonade stand.

Of course, Karen made this all possible.

Everything was going well, and the kids were so happy with their small business. Until one day, an unexpected thing happened.

“UNTIL….one bad apple. They drove up, Katelyn asked if she wanted lemonade. The girl snatched the tip jar and jumped back in the car and squealed away…..with all the kids money,” Karen posted on her Facebook account last August 3.

The kids were shocked, hurt, and disappointed.

Imagine doing this unthinkable act to 9-year-old kids? What type of person could do this? It’s more than just stealing the hard-earned money of the kids; it’s also breaking their trust.

Karen immediately called the Ames Police Department in Iowa. She reported the incident, and the police department was also dismayed by what happened.

Instead of being excited when they see a person approaching their lemonade stand, the kids would just be scared.

This is what Ames Officer Celena Rohland taught, and this prompted her to talk to her colleagues.

“This theft was particularly heartbreaking for Katelyn and Elias and I wanted to turn their experience into something positive,” Officer Rohland explained in her interview with Fox News. “I work with a great group of people who didn’t hesitate to come together to make that happen.”

Rohland’s colleagues and friends didn’t disappoint her. They were eager to help and to bring back the children’s broken trust.

Soon, news had spread, and aside from the Ames Police Department, the small lemonade stand received more unexpected visitors. The Iowa State University Police Department, Ames Fire Department, and even Story County Sheriff’s Office came to support the small business.

“Our street was filled with police cars and firetrucks and a whole lot of smiles,” Smidt said smiling. “Because of those first responders, our kids found a renewed sense of energy and wanted to open their stand the next day…and the next day. Our community showed up in a big way and we are and continue to be overwhelmed by the support.”

Even though everyone is now happy, Smidt said that the investigation is still ongoing. It’s still a crime that needs to be punished.

“Life is never without hard parts,” Smidt shared, talking about her family’s experience. “The way our community has showed up has absolutely given our kids something they will remember for a lifetime.”

Even if something terrible happened, this community did its best to turn a bad event into a positive one. The community helped bring back the smile and excitement of the twins, and soon they were able to raise more than enough money.

They were able to raise more than $2,400, and from there, they decided to donate all of the tips they raised to Shop with a Cop.

There was one bad apple that ruined the twin’s day, but the love, concern, and kindness of their community made its way to a bigger purpose.

Watch the full interview down below and tell us what you think.

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Source: WBNS 10TV, Fox News, Karen Smidt