Boys selling lemonade to help Detroit receive apparel from Michigan basketball team

Joshua Smith, 9, worked at his lemonade stand for 3 days on Detroit's west side

DETROIT – A young man who started a lemonade stand to raise money for the city of Detroit received a sweet surprise of his own on Friday.

Joshua Smith, 9, along with Dwayne Durant, 10, were awarded with University of Michigan apparel after spending three days serving lemonade on Detroit's west side.

Three University of Michigan basketball players brought the entrepreneurs autographed shirts and hats.

"These shirts, man, we got these signed by the whole team," said Michigan basketball forward Jordan Morgan.

Boys serve hundred of customers

The boys have had hundreds of customers, including Detroit mayor Dave Bing.  Smith's parents were in on the surprise visit, and dad had a surprise of his own.

"I just want you to know, this is real tough on me.  I'm a Spartan," said Flynn Smith, Joshua's father.

"Hopefully we'll convert you," says Morgan.

Open for business

The boys were still an hour away from opening for business, but still served the three thirsty players who came over from Ann Arbor summer workouts.

The business has gotten so popular, they've been serving pouches from the store.

"I read the article myself about what you were doing out here," said Morgan. "I called my teammates and we had to come support you.  This is big for someone your age.  Both of you guys out here."

"There's a lot of kids our age that's not even doing a thing that you're doing," said guard Corey Person.

Working to help the city

Morgan says it's going to take more people with thinking like these boys to help the city.

Three guys who can pack a basketball arena made these young guys the superstars on Friday.

"I didn't even know I was going to get lots and lots of stuff like this," said Smith.

The two boys were back in business Friday on Leslie Street until 8:00 p.m.