$25K from LemonAID!

In the wake of the devastation in Japan, OC residents are bonding together to raise thousands of dollars for relief.

As a part of the Team Kids' LemonAID Japan project, about 75 groups raised $25,545 on Sunday to donate to the Red Cross.

Team Kids, an innovative program that empowers kids to become resilient and responsible citizens, had a previous single day fundraising record of $11,700.

According to Founder Julie Hadash, it was amazing to witness how the compassion of children mobilized an entire community at the event at the Orange County Great Park Farmer's Market.

"The gift of $25,545 was created one sticky quarter at a time, from children and families empowered to send support and a message of hope to the victims in Japan," Julie said.

And the momentum is only growing with Team Kids LemonAID relief efforts held in Hawaii and Maryland with plans for a weekend event in the Washington, D.C. area on April 9.

"It would be amazing to have a LemonAID stand in every state, and I'm so proud to share that 100% of the funds raised go directly to the Red Cross Japan Relief," said Julie. "It is so humbling to see these little kids come in with their jars, piggy banks, shoe boxes, filled with quarters and dollar bills.  These compassionate and powerful young leaders worked so hard, making signs and hawking LemonAID, knowing that not a penny of their efforts would be theirs to keep."

Since its inception in 2005, kids participating in LemonAID have raised and donated more than $45,000 to charity through in response to Katrina, the Indonesian Tsunami, the Santiago wildfires and the earthquake in Haiti.

Visit the Team Kids website for more information about upcoming events - a concert at Soka University on March 31 and a teen concert on April 1 - and to donate.