Lulu Cerone – Philanthroparties

By: Lindsay Flanagan

Q) You were inspired to help others on a global level when devastating earthquakes hit Haiti in 2010. You were only ten-years-old. Most ten-year-olds are concerned about their toys, their shows, etc. How did the earthquakes come to your attention? Did you see it on the news, or did your parents tell you about it? Why did you feel such a desire to help people you didn’t even know?

A) My parents didn’t let me watch the news when I was ten years old. But in this digital age, it’s impossible to shield kids from anything! So, despite their best efforts, I went online and saw some terrifying images. I live in LA where earthquakes are a real threat. My mind went to a terrified place because I could imagine my world crumbling just as it had for the people in Haiti. But because I had already spent my childhood selling lemonade for local charities, my impulse was to take action instead of letting my fear and sadness take over.

Q) Out of the first lemonade stand came LemonAID Warriors. What inspired you to keep pursuing philanthropic movements?

A) While me and my friends had done many small lemonade stands for charity over the years, we invited our entire community to get involved in the Boys vs Girls LemonAID competition for Haiti. Its success was not only measured in dollars but in a tidal wave of interest and enthusiasm to keep on going.  Every time there was something in the news about people in need, my friends asked me to put together another event. They felt empowered by the fact that together, we made a global impact with hardly any help from grown-ups. It was also a truly joyful experience that brought us closer together and strengthened our friendships. So, I decided to create more creative, youth-generated ideas that empowered kids to take action and started my organization LemonAID Warriors to help spread the word.

Q) You are very dedicated to helping other children have access to education. Can you tell us what education means to you and why you want to ensure all children have that opportunity?

A) I first really realized the value of education when I went to northern Uganda when I was fourteen. My family was invited to visit water wells that me and my LemonAID Warriors helped fund. Some of these wells were on school campuses. The kids there were able to go to school because they could bring clean water home. If not for the wells, they would be walking miles each day to fetch water from unclean sources and they wouldn’t be able to go to school. They were grateful not only for the clean water, but for the fact that it allowed them to get an education. An education would help them break the cycle of poverty and give them power over their futures. I realized that building wells was an important life-saving step, but the ultimate goal is to help people become self-sufficient. And education is the key.

Q) You’ve written a book, PhilanthroParties, which is basically a guide to helping others while having fun. Your philanthropic endeavors obviously inspired the book, but what, specifically, made you want to put all your ideas in one place? How did the idea for the book come about?

A) I’ve always been frustrated at the lack of volunteer opportunities for young kids. And I was disheartened by the grumbles I started to hear among kids my age about community service being boring. I wanted to change that. I wanted every young person to know how to make social activism part of their social lives. So I gathered our coolest party concepts, laid them out in easy, inexpensive action plans, and pitched my book idea to publishers. I also was thinking ahead to my college years. I realized that I won’t be able to host as many PhilanthroParties or mentor kids directly, like I have been doing for the past 8 years through LemonAID Warriors. So, my ideas will live on without me when I go to university in the fall.

Q) Can you tell us a few of your party ideas?

A) Sure! Some PhilanthroParties ask for cash donations, but my book also concentrates on ideas that don’t involve money donations since that’s not always an option. Most of my parties raise awareness for causes, spread kindness or collect donations of items you already have but are not using. And all of the parties are simple and inexpensive. Here’s the simplest example:

Since it’s the summer, you might want to have a pool party at home or at a public pool in your area. Or set up water-themed games like water balloon pinatas and a squirt gun fight. Then, ask guests to bring in extra old towels to donate to a local animal shelter. They need towels and blankets as bedding and for bathing. Afterwards, drop off the towels with your friends. So easy.

One of my favorite parties in the book is called the Ugly Food Feast and it raises awareness about the food waste crisis in our country. You throw a dinner party and serve a meal made entirely out of food that would normally be wasted. I have recipes for veggie burgers made from juice pulp and banana bread made out of brown bananas in my book. Then, during dinner, you can talk about what each individual can do to reduce the amount of food that they throw away. It’s a great way to start the conversation about food waste in your community and inspire your peers to make a small, simple change to their lifestyles.

Q) Why do you think your book—and the goals behind the parties—is important in today’s world and for today’s youth?

A) Now more than ever, it’s so important that we’re kind to one another. When we all work together to help people, we not only show kindness to those in need, we end up being kinder toward each other. PhilanthroParties are simply meant to promote peace and foster kindness, which is necessary to combat the hatred and divisiveness in our country and greater world today. Plus, when you start practicing kindness at a young age, you’re a lot more likely to continue being a kind, generous person as you grow up.

Q) When you’re not changing the world (because you are, one project at a time!), I read that you play in a band. What kind of music do you play? What bands do you listen to? Will there be a benefit concert featuring your band in the near future?

A) I’ve played in a few bands growing up! Pretty much all of them played rock music. In terms of what I listen to, I love everything from old punk music to modern, popular hip-hop. My taste is pretty eclectic. I have done back yard fundraising concerts in the past. A few times I’ve invited some headlining bands to play and was astounded when they agreed! I definitely hope to do more of those in the future.

Q I also read that you write and direct short films. Can you tell us more about your films?

A) Totally! My taste in films is very weird. I’m really into surrealism and horror so there’s usually a lot of elaborate costumes and animal masks and fake blood involved.

Q) You’ve already done so much, but what are you future plans and goals?

A) I’m headed off to Columbia University next year and I’m really excited to just focus on college for a while. My current Vice President is taking over LemonAID Warriors next year so I’ll be a little less involved. But activism is undoubtedly going to continue playing a role in my life. LGBTQ+ rights are extremely important to me and so I see myself getting more involved in advocating for that community.

Q) You’re helping children on a global scale and in third-world countries, but I think you are helping kids and teens in America and other first-world countries, too, by showing their voice matters and they can help others. How can people become involved with your organization—become one of your LemonAID Warriors?

A) To be a true Warrior, throw your own PhilanthroParty! Try to work in simple ways to add social activism into your life. My book gives you super easy ideas to get you started and really lays it all out for you. And make sure to send me pictures so I can feature
your work on social media!

Q) If there is one message of hope you could leave to not only the children you help but the people you inspire, what would it be?

A) You are powerful and you matter.