One children's group in Mamaroneck was making lemonade out of a lemon situation, weeks before it was reported yesterday that British Petroleum's oil slick appears to be dissolving faster than expected.

Today is the last day that the fresh-squeezed-lemonade stand — run by environmentally conscientious children ages 3 to 12 — is open for business.

The children are in Mamaroneck Public Library's summer Roots & Shoots Club, and will be serving up lemonade in front of the library, at 102 Mamaroneck Ave.,  at 50 cents a cup, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

Putting the (sugary) squeeze on

Proceeds go to Save Our Gulf, which describes itself as an initiative by Waterkeep Alliance "fighting to protect the Gulf Coast's communities and environment from the long-term devastating impacts of the BP oil disaster." 

And the kids are doing well, with their earnings on the sweet — not tart — side, raising nearly $200 in just two shifts so far, and looking forward to putting the squeeze on today's foot traffic.

"We have a crew of children in the kitchen making the lemonade, which is fresh lemon juice, sugar, water, and lemons," said Marcia Hupp, head of Youth Services at the library, and in her 10th year running Roots & Shoots. "And we'll have another crew on the sidewalk selling."

Global children's initiative

Roots & Shoots is founded by the Jane Goodall Institute, and is a global network of programs where children volunteers take action to improve the world through service.

Said Hupp, "The program is meant to help solve world problems by using children's creative energies and their passions."

During the year, three projects must address helping people, animals and the environment. "The children decide what our program is going to focus on."

Mamaroneck's Roots & Shoots

The summer program meets once a week — this summer, on every Thursday in July — for five weeks, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The program is free and open to the community, though all but one of the 10 children this summer are from Mamaroneck. 

During the school year, it's an after-school program meeting every other week.

"The first two Thursdays, the children brainstormed about people who needed help, and went home to research the ideas. The second week, we talked about the ideas, and they voted," explained Hupp of the selection process. "They wanted to help out the people affected by the BP oil spill. Then, for the last three weeks, they wanted to raise money through a lemonade stand."

The stand is fully provided by the children, with each contributing a necessary element such as lemons, sugar, or cups and napkins. "The children are donating supplies, and their time and their creativity."

Polar bears

Last summer's project was raising awareness for the plight of polar bears. "The children were each filmed by LMC-TV explaining their posters on the subject, delivering public service announcements, visiting the Bronx Zoo, and making and selling polar bear-shaped cupcakes," said Hupp.

The DVD is called "Hanging By a Claw" and is available through the library.

Proceeds went to the National Wildlife Federation's "Save the Polar Bear" fund.

When it rains, it pours lemonade

How did sales get so big? "A lot of people were very generous and gave tips. Or they made donations without even taking lemonade. They were really sweet," said Hupp.

So, in case of rain, be even sweeter by stopping by anyway. "We'll have our umbrellas," she said of the devoted environmentalists. However, look for them to likely be selling inside the library if there's a downpour.

By the way, what does lemonade have to do with the Gulf Coast? 

Hupp peeled the rind from this conundrum by pithily explaining, "Children always love lemonade stands.

"It's been fun."

To join

For the Roots & Shoots after-school program, call the library in the fall. The program begins after Columbus Day. Call toward the end of the school year for the summer session.

Contact the Children's Room of the Mamaroneck Public Library at (914) 698-1250 x24, and visit www.mamaronecklibrary.org