NATCHEZ –  With three years past and thousands of dollars made, 9-year-old Della Book is proving to the Natchez community that anyone can make a difference. 

After expressing her love for animals at a young age and figuring out that some animals don’t have it as good as her three dogs at home, Book knew she wanted to do something about it.

With the help of her mother, Megan Guido, Book opened up Della’s Lemonade and Cookies. 

“It started small, but every year we’re growing and making more money for shelters in need,” Book said. “This year we made over $1,300, which is more than we have ever made before.”

She began with only selling lemonade at her parents’ business, but after a quick and notable success she slowly began expanding to add an array of treats such as cookies, brownies, and more. She also slowly began setting up in different locations around Natchez, such as Saint Mary’s Family Life Center and at pop-up events on the Natchez Bluff, where she also began to help publicize the “adopt don’t shop”campaign.

After each of her fundraisers, she has given every dollar she has made to different shelters across Natchez, including Natchez Spay and Neuter, The Humane Society, and HoofBeats and PawPrints Rescue.

Throughout the past few years, Book has not only been able to raise thousands for animals around the county but also able to set an example by showing everyone who came past her that anyone can make a difference, big or small.