Pouring Lemonade For A Cure

Two Mill Pond School students sold lemonade and popcorn for cancer research on Saturday.

Katelyn Gordon and Amber Manoski, each 11 years old and both from Lake Barnegat Road stood outside Katelyn’s home with their Alex’s Lemonade Stand flagging down passing drivers as they collected money for childhood cancer research.

This is the third year for Katelyn and second for Amber participating in the national fundraiser and according to Katelyn’s mom Trish Gordon they have raised over $1,000 over the past three years.

“It’s gotten better every year,” Gordon said.

The girls know several local children who have had, or now have cancer, Gordon said.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand is a national organization and although next weekend is the official fundraising weekend, Gordon said the family is busy next weekend so moved their event up.

Reading the book “Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand” prompted Kaitlin to begin fundraising for the organization, she said.

“I read the book and I decided to do it,” she said.

The organization has a website, www.alexslemonade.org, which makes it very easy to set up, collect and distribute the money raised, Gordon said.

Gordon purchased the banner, stickers and pencils given out from the organization.

“They even give you an envelope to put the money in and mail it,” she said. “It’s so easy to do.”

But Katelyn and Amber did not leave all the work to their moms.

“My kids put it on their Facebook pages,” Gordon said.

In addition, Katelyn gave out pencils to her classmates at school and even collected some money from them.

“She came home with a pocket full of change,” Gordon said.

“One girl gave me her snack money,” said Amber.

While they were not making and serving lemonade and popcorn Katelyn and Amber got out from behind the stand to coax drivers to stop by and have a drink, standing near the curb with a sign and calling out “lemonade for childhood cancer research.”

They patiently poured and gave out lemonade curbside.

“They work hard today,” Gordon said.

Gordon said many local residents are aware of the fundraiser.

“A lot of people know we’re here, it’s been three years,” she said.

Neighbor Rachel Martin, a sixth grader, walked over to have a drink and make a donation, “to help” she said.

And helping is what it is all about.

“It makes me feel good that all the money goes for research for cancer,” Katelyn said.

Asked what they hope to accomplish through their efforts Amber said, “A cure.”