Riverdale neighbors help 9-year-old entrepreneur raise nearly $1,700 for summer camp

In just five hours, 9-year-old Hudson Lantigua raised nearly $1,700 toward his summer camp fund by serving up glasses of fresh lemonade.

Hudson’s mom, Susan Locier, said she is raising Hudson and his 2-year-old sister Nathalia on her own. Something like Woodmont Day Camp — a New York-based program where kids play sports, do art, zipline and brave the camp’s Ninja Warrior course — isn’t affordable on top of other living expenses. But Hudson hasn’t let financial strain stand between himself and a summer spent at camp. After the success of his lemonade stand last year, Hudson wanted to give fundraising through entrepreneurship another go.

Despite the initial overcast weather on May 30, Hudson stood outside the Palace of Japan on Johnson Avenue, ready to take orders. In front of him was a spread of homemade watermelon juice, lemonade and lemon-flavored baked goods, laid atop green and yellow gingham. Family members, friends and passersby floated around the stand, cups in hand, laughing and chatting with one another.

Hudson — donning lemon-patterned swim trunks — wore a bright smile while he offered neighbors a refreshing drink and sweet treat. Instead of putting an exact price on his beverages and confections, the stand allowed residents to donate any amount they’d like. Family members, including Nathalia, occasionally took a shift pouring and plating, but it was Hudson who stood at the helm of the operation.

Exploring entrepreneurship isn’t the only pursuit in which the young businessman finds passion. Hudson said he enjoys reading and math, and also has an interest  in sports — flag football in particular. But when it came time to raise money for a summer of outdoor fun, he said a lemonade stand was the first thing that came to his mind.

When asked if there was anything he wanted to make known about his business, he kept things direct.

“It’s good lemonade,” he said.

Locier explained the family was initially able to cover part of the camp’s fee, but there was still a gap. On top of that, Hudson needed sports gear such as cleats, goggles and gloves. The funds raised by the lemonade stand were enough for all of the expenses, with more than two-thirds of it from friends and family who came out specifically to support Hudson, Locier said.

“He’s really hardworking,” Locier said about her son. “I just want the best for him … the best experiences in life that I didn’t have growing up.”

Aside from a brief move out of state, Hudson and Nathalia have lived in Riverdale their entire lives. Locier moved to the neighborhood 15 years ago.

Last year, Hudson spearheaded a similar lemonade stand venture in order to supplement costs for his private education at Manhattan Christian Academy. At the time, Locier explained, life circumstances had forced the sudden move back to Riverdale, and she didn’t have the time to secure a job before they left. Quality education was a non-negotiable pursuit for the family, but Locier found herself stuck in a difficult position.

She said Hudson raised nearly $1,400 that year — enough to cover his first month’s tuition, school supplies and his uniform. The money gave them the breathing room they needed, and by the time the school year started, Locier had secured a job.

“It all fell into place,” she said.

Since moving back to Riverdale, Hudson has found a mentor in family friend and longtime resident Eugene McGowan, whom Hudson calls “Uncle E.” McGowan explained that he was in the foster care system growing up, and now spends his time with kids who may be missing a role model like he was. 

Hudson and McGowan mostly bond through athletics, such as strength training, basketball, football, swimming and soon martial arts, McGowan said. He described Hudson as a sweet kid, who is intelligent and has a good heart.

One neighbor and lemonade stand customer, Avi Perez, met Locier and Hudson for the first time at last year’s stand. This time around, Perez said he didn’t hesitate to come by. Supporting neighbors is a part of being a community, he said.

That feeling of togetherness was shared by Hudson’s grandmother, Jacqueline Ramirez, who is also a local resident. An avid baker, she helped Hudson prepare muffins and cookies for the lemonade stand. She described her grandson as kind and generous, and said raising money teaches him the importance of work ethic.

“Whatever we have in life, we have to work hard for,” Ramirez said. “I’m very proud of him.”