Molly and Carly Houlahan

Molly and Carly, ages 16 and 14, launched “Hives for Lives” four years ago after their grandfather died of throat cancer. After this loss, Molly and Carly decided they wanted to honor his memory by raising money to find a cure. Instead of pursuing the typical lemonade stand or garage sale, the girls set out to create a sustainable, scalable business whose on-going profits would be donated to finding a cure for cancer. “We wanted to do something to remember him and to make sure others would not get sick and die like he did,” they said. Molly and Carly, co-CEOs of the business harvest honey from hives at the end of the summer, and then spin, filter, bottle, and label it by hand. They also make lip balm and candles from beeswax. To sell their products, Molly and Carly call on hospital gift shops, food stores, kitchen shops, and other retail outlets; take orders on a website (www.hivesforlives.com); and spend many weekends at local fairs and markets. Their jobs also include recruiting volunteers (called “Helper Bees”), preparing business presentations, meeting with suppliers, and speaking at schools, conventions, churches, seminars and hospitals. Among other engagements, they have spoken at the Green Festival in DC, and the Whole Foods Pow Wow and Vision Day in Texas and DC.  The girls have donated over $45,000 towards a cure to date and are now in all Whole Foods Markets in the Mid-Atlantic.

In addition to attending to the business, Molly runs a Hives for Lives Young Business Leaders Club at her school. “Hives for Lives will go on as long as there is cancer,” said Molly. “I hope every year the business will grow until there is a cure,” added Carly. Molly and Carly’s efforts recently won them the 2007 middle school and high school Prudential Spirit of the Community Awards as the top youth volunteers in the state of Pennsylvania, and the President's Volunteer Service Award from President Bush himself.  They have also been honored with the American Cancer Society's Project Award and the TA Barron Prize for Young Heroes for their environmental contributions.  When they are not in their hives or up to their elbows in honey, Molly and Carly enjoy soccer, softball, lacrosse, drama, art, flute and guitar.

For more information on Molly and Carly, please visit www.hivesforlives.com