Story of 9-Year-Old Detroit Native Joshua Smith’s Snack Sale to Help His City Goes Viral
Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 10:10AM 
Lemonade Sale for Detroit: In response to the financial crisis in Detroit, Joshua Smith, 9 and his friend Dwayne Durant, 10 of Detroit are having a lemonade sale to benefit the city. Kathleen Galligan/DFPBy EEW Magazine News Staff
This past February, a news report about a 14-year-old Detroit boy named Joshua Smith killing his mother because she tried to keep him out of gang violence, horrified America. Now, just months later, the story of a 9-year-old lad from the exact same city of Detroit, with an identical name, Joshua Smith, is making national headlines for his good deeds.
While some boys are too busy playing with action figures, video games, and hanging out with friends to be community focused, Joshua’s heart was touched by Detroit’s crippling debt. Noticing the late garbage collection, poor condition of local parks with their broken fountains, and grass that stands nearly as tall as him, launched him into action.
Joshua, son of EEW Magazine parenting columnist, Rhonda Smith, decided to sell organic lemonade, other cold drinks, and popcorn to raise money for his city.
His parents helped out by purchasing $100 worth of food and drinks for him to sell, alongside his friend, 10-year-old, Dwayne Durant.
9-year-old Joshua’s good deed has inspired so many people that his story has gone viral and has now been featured in USA Today, ABC News, NBC/The Grio, News One, Black America Web, Yahoo! News, and more.
"His heart is really in it for the people, and he's always been a very helpful boy," Joshua's father, Flynn Smith, told ABC News. "He gets that from his parents. We try to be helpful whenever we can.”
Congratulations to Rhonda Smith and family!
Reader Comments (7)
This story is wonderful!! I dontated aleady.
Wow I didn't even make that connection before now. I remember how disturbed I was when I heard that black teen killed his mother in Detroit. What a wonderful contrast to see THIS Joshua doing good things. Praise God for his God-honoring family.
Not all our black boys are getting sucked into violence, guns, drugs and foolishness. Joshua is an example of positivity. What an uplifting story!
I love Ms. Rhonda's column. It has been a blessing to my life. Seeing her family is really encouraging. Those principles work!!! Bless God.
I've been seeing this everywhere! What a blessing
I am just so pleased that God has chosen to use my son and family. Thank you all for your encouraging comments, sharing his story, making donations and whatever else you are doing to support my son's efforts. You are a blessing! Praise God for His faithfulness!
This touched me! Beautiful, beautiful story. Congratulations to you Rhonda!