When most little girls open up a lemonade stand they do it to get money for toys or clothes. Then again, Callie Lentz is not most little girls.

Callie, 8, witnessed tragedy at a very young age. Her friend, Ben Towne, was diagnosed with a form of pediatric cancer at the age of 2 and died a year later. When Ben’s parents set up a foundation, Callie knew she wanted to start a business to help out the family.

So one February day, on a walk with her dad, Ryan Lentz, Callie pitched the idea. Not for a lemonade stand, but a coffee company.

“All adults drink coffee,” she said.

With that, Callie’s Coffee was born.

Callie’s parents Ryan and Mollie put their own money into starting the company. The goal is to both raise money for the Ben Towne Foundation, which gives 100 percent of all donations to pediatric cancer research, and increase awareness of the foundation and pediatric cancer.

But, if they were going to do it, they were going to do it right. The Lentz’s chose to use Camano Island Coffee for the product. Friends and family pitched in to help them start a website and Facebook page.

Ryan Lentz’s one condition on putting his money behind the venture was that it be a family activity. Mollie Lentz, the kids’ mother and a marriage and family therapist, calls herself a consultant. Callie, who says she “pretty much does everything,” is the founder, but her two younger brothers are also key components. Robbie, 6, is the chief labeling officer, and Nick, 4, is the chief shipping officer. Kids from around the area have taken to the project as well, helping design labels and put them on bags.

The family was excited to start the new company, but they had no idea how quickly it would take off.

“We launched on a Monday and on Tuesday we shipped 130 packages,” said Ryan Lentz, who owns a commercial real estate company, and an animal supplement company.

In the first three weeks, Callie’s Coffee took in more than $12,000. Things percolated so quickly that Ryan had to move the operation into a warehouse in Bellevue.

Bags of coffee start around $12, and customers can purchase them online. The company also offers mugs and other merchandise.

The family made its first donation to the Ben Towne Foundation, a $2,000 check, last week.

“Callie proves what we believe to be true: that kids can change the way pediatric cancers are treated and cured,” said Jeff Towne, Ben’s dad. “Callie is an inspiration to us and we are amazed by her compassion and generosity.”

In the coming months, the Lentz’s are planning to take part in some events and engage in sponsorship opportunities to get the name of the company out there.

Ryan Lentz said donations to the foundation are important, but getting people to think about the cause, and potentially spur them into getting involved, is just as important.

“When people see the name Callie’s Coffee I want to see them associate it with pediatric cancer and the Ben Towne Foundation,” he said.