Lemonade, sidewalk smiles, and a city-wide show of generosity: On Aug. 24, front lawns and street corners across Edmonton, St. Albert, and nearby communities were transformed into mini fundraisers, all pouring hope into every cup.
More than 650 stands took part in Lemonade Stand Day, an annual grassroots campaign in support of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. Organized by Simply Supper, what began as a modest family initiative in 2014 has now raised over $2.5 million. This year’s funds will help purchase bedside caregiver cots, allowing parents to rest overnight beside their children in hospital, offering a sense of closeness when it matters most.
For many families, those moments are personal.
“We’ve all utilized the facility at some point,” said Jennifer Nichol, whose family has run a stand for four years. “My oldest niece spent a week in the ICU at the Stollery, and my kids have gone to the emergency room. That facility is something we all support.”
Nichol’s stand, like many, was a full-family affair, with banana bread, bracelets, and freezies alongside the lemonade.
“The kids all try to contribute something,” she said. “It’s just another way of giving back.”
But the real story isn’t only how much is raised, it’s who is behind each cup.
Kids as young as four or five took part, some driven by experience, others by empathy. Eight-year-old Nixon Trahan, manning his family’s first-ever stand, summed it up:
“The children are in need, and they probably need a lot of money to get everybody better.”
His six-year-old brother Liam added, “My friend was in the hospital. He’s all better now, and today he got some lemonade.”
These aren't just kids playing shop, they’re kids taking ownership of a cause that matters.
Across town, Lily and Violet Lueke, eight and 10, beamed with pride as they passed their $500 fundraising goal before noon.
“Raising the money is the best part,” Violet said.
Meanwhile, Amelia, six, and Isla Candido, eight, said they would stay out long past their planned finish time.
“We are supposed to be done at 3,” Isla said. “But we’re trying to raise as much as we can.”
“My favourite part is giving people drinks,” Amelia added.
That enthusiasm was felt all over the city. Police officers and firefighters made special stops. Neighbours dropped by with donations. Some stands even received drive-by honks of support.
“It’s honestly amazing to see this,” said Bre Schabert, now in her second year running a stand. “It feels like the whole community shows up. People are so generous, not just with money, but with kindness.”
While the event may look like a sea of homemade signs and kids with pitchers, the heart behind it is something deeper. Many parents remember long nights spent in uncomfortable hospital chairs. Some of the kids pouring lemonade have been in those hospital beds themselves, or sat beside friends who were.
This year’s goal, to provide more caregiver cots, addresses a quiet but important need. These cots allow moms and dads to stay close during surgeries, recoveries, or long treatment plans. For many families, that closeness can make all the difference.
As one parent said while visiting a nearby stand, “You never think you’ll need the Stollery, until you do. And then you realize how lucky we are to have it.”
