Dear Editor,
I just wanted to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in The Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium.
It was the best way to start the summer. Thanks to over 350 kids across the Ottawa area, we really put a Squeeze on Cancer. The fun-filled one-day fundraiser on June 21 saw over 120 lemonade stands in most neighbourhoods across the Ottawa area stretching out to Calabogie, Arnprior, Greeley and Cumberland, and of course right here in Kitchissippi. So far, close to $60,000 has been raised, and we’re still counting! The funds will be used to support cancer research and services in the Ottawa area.
In the weeks leading up to the event, kids registered their lemonade stand names and team members online and started their virtual fundraising. It’s worth pointing out that there were many kids who wanted to take part but were not available on the 21st. Many hosted their stands beforehand, and together with online donations raised more than $15,000 before the official event.
On the big day, the excitement was totally infectious. It was a thrill to see a community come together over a glass of lemonade and make a big difference in so many peoples lives. Many kids hosted their stands at local grocery stores and coffee shops, and it was great to have Mayor Watson officially start the day with the reading of a proclamation at John’s Quick Lunch.
This was the event’s second year and it was wonderful to see stands at Wellington West businesses such as Flock, Victoire, JV Studios, and Viens Avec Moi all the way along Richmond Road to Flowers By Maggie and Oreks Souvlaki. Intertwined throughout the streets you could not go more than a block before you got to have a fresh glass of lemonade and see all of the tasty extras the kids put out to sell at their “stand” against cancer.
I’m looking forward to seeing another sea of yellow next year. We have the best community!
Thank you!
Julie Findlay
The Great Canadian Lemonade Standemonium
Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation (ORCF)