The familiar adage is, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
For 62 years, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis has been caring for youngsters and their families, all dealt a bitterly sour blow by cancer and other pediatric diseases.
Three years ago, Buddy and Allison Lee helped their then 5-year-old daughter Avery Clare set up a lemonade stand in front of the family home on Tribble Road south of Charleston as a fundraiser for St. Jude.
At $2 per cup, plus donations, a total of $600 was raised from that first event.
Proceeds from the second annual sale of the cold, tangy treat in 2023 allowed Avery Clare to donate $1,255 to St. Jude.
On Saturday, May 25, the third fundraiser shattered the previous high-water mark by bringing in $1,400.
That is a total of $3,255 generated by three years of lemonade sales to compassionate, supportive and generous relatives, friends and neighbors in the Paynes community and beyond.
Avery Clare’s mom said 60 customers, “ranging in age from 4 months to people well into their 70s” stopped by during the most recent three-hour sale, which ran from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
With the help of her sisters, Aven Kate and Addy Reece, the now 7-year-old Avery Clare served 12 gallons of lemonade. Despite inflation, still for $2 per cup.
“We send a big thank you to everyone who has supported her,” said Allison.
To help the mission of St. Jude, visit the contributions page on their website.
