KOKOMO, Ind. (WTHR) - If you're thirsty and need a refreshing drink in this weather, the place to be in Kokomo is Malachi's Magnificent Lemonade Stand at Bell and Harrison streets.
This isn't your typical lemonade stand, though. The money raised here has a bigger purpose.
He starts kindergarten on Wednesday, but Monday, five-year-old Malachi Fronczak is on a mission to sell as many cups of lemonade as he can.
"I say it's a donation and I ask what kind and they choose a kind and they come back for more if they want," explained Malachi of the pink, yellow and raspberry lemonades from which his customers can choose.
"Or do you want the Malachi Special?" the 5-year-old asks one of dozens of customers lined up on the sidewalk outside Malachi's house.
The Malachi Special is all three flavors of lemonade in one glass. It's been a big hit with everyone who stops by the stand.
"Thanks, Malachi," says one customer as she gets her plastic cup of lemonade and gives the boy a hug.
Customers are drawn to the little boy with blonde hair and a wide smile as he waits on each of them. He takes any amount of money they offer, sometimes dollar bills in large amounts, other times pocket change.
Many people have also come out because of the reason Malachi is selling lemonade in the first place.
"He was, like, I need to open my stand and raise money for him," said Malachi's dad, Jason Fronczak.
Fronczak is talking about the reaction Malachi had when he heard about the death of Southport Police Lt. Aaron Allan.
"He was pretty shocked that it could even happen," said Fronczak, explaining that sad news is not something he and his wife usually share with their young son.
This time, though, he heard about what happened and wanted to help.
Malachi is giving every penny he raises at his lemonade stand to Allan's family.
When word got out to Southport's police chief, he knew he had to see this for himself.
Monday night a number of officers from the Southport Police Department made the trip up U.S. 31 to visit Malachi.
Chief Thomas Vaughn told Malachi, "I can't tell you how much that meant to us that you did that."
One by one, members of Lt. Allan's department thanked Malachi with hugs and words of appreciation.
They even let Malachi turn on a siren in one of their cars as a thank you for his kindness and hard work.
Even the K-9 officers wanted to show gratitude, so Malachi got a handshake from a Southport police dog.
"When you see a child at five years old observe something and it impacts them and they want to do something special, I think it's just amazing," said Kokomo Police Capt. Kevin Summers.
Several Kokomo Police officers have visited Malachi's lemonade stand.
"The policemen in Kokomo are his heroes. He watches for their cars. Loves them," explained Fronczak.
"I want to be one someday," said Malachi.
"Mom and I couldn't be any happier," Fronczak said of his son's dream.
For now, serving his community, for Malachi Fronczak, is raising money for a fallen officer whose little boy is the same age.
"At the end of the day, we've got somebody that was serving our local community here in Indiana, that lost his life and his family deserves anything we can give them," said Fronczak.
For a 5-year-old who hopes to one day serve his community by wearing a police uniform like Lt. Aaron Allan, right now serving his community looks like a glass of lemonade served with a smile.
Malachi's dad says they've raised close to a $1,000 for the Allan family.