HomeCommunity NewsYessaian Children Sell Hot Chocolate, Coffee for Cancer Charity

Yessaian Children Sell Hot Chocolate, Coffee for Cancer Charity

Mikey and Emily Yessaian noticed that there were many nonprofit groups dedicated to children who have cancer and parents who have cancer, but couldn’t find any for children whose parents have cancer.

A few months ago, the San Marino siblings decided to start a nonprofit organization called Hot for Hope. Mikey and Emily then set up a hot chocolate and coffee stand in front of their home in the 1600 block of Sherwood Road.

“It’s one dollar for each one, but sometimes people give us more than that,” 10-year-old Mikey said.

“We don’t usually get cars, we get people who walk by,” said Emily, who is 9 years old.

The Yessaian’s house is situated right behind the back entrance of Valentine Elementary and they receive many customers from the stand’s prime location. They wake up a 6 a.m. on certain Fridays to brew the coffee and make the hot chocolate. The stand also offers different syrups, whipped cream, peppermints, marshmallows and other sweets to enhance the hot drinks.

Friends of Mikey and Emily sometimes help with the stand including Jayan Anvekar acting as a sign spinner to attract customers.

Jones Coffee donates all of the coffee for the Yessaian children to serve. They purchase the hot chocolate using some of the funds that they earn. Emily said they made as much as $300 one day in November.

The money raised is used to create care packages for children who have a parent with cancer. They recently had a teddy bear drive at Valentine Elementary to collect new stuffed animals to place in the care packages.

“So they have teddy bears and books that they use when putting care packages together for the kids,” mom Jenny Yessaian said.

The care packages are then delivered to USC Norris and UCLA.

The Yessaians will soon be teaming up with Kids Konnected.

“They already have camps established for kids who have a parent with cancer so we’re going to partner with them and try to fund some kids to go to camp,” Jenny said.

Both Mikey and Emily said they feel good about giving back.

“We’re glad we can help kids who have a parent with cancer,” Emily said.

Jenny Yessaian works for an oncology pharmaceutical company, Novartis Oncology, which she said also will be contributing to the teddy bear drives and fundraising.

San Marino resident Mary Buckley designed the Hot for Hope logo. 

The Yessaians announce the dates that they will be selling hot chocolate and coffee on Instagram and via email. The next day will be on Jan. 29 from 7-8:15 a.m.

When the clock turns 8:15 a.m. on these days, Mikey and Emily have to run to class and Jenny ends up tending to the rest of the customers and cleaning up.

Anyone who wishes to donate to Hot for Hope can email hotforhope@gmail.com.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=3]

27