Bridgewater Children Raise Money Through Lemonade

When Gina Shaughnessy, of Bradley Lane, was six years old, she asked her mother for a lemonade stand.

And after a little research on the best methods for starting one, Gina and her friends and family turned that request into a tradition now celebrating its third year of raising money for charity.

"We did some research online about having a successful lemonade stand, and, in the process, learned about Alex's Lemonade," said Denise Shaughnessy, Gina's mother. "Alex's Lemonade started in a similar way."

To continue contributing funds to the charity, Shaughnessy said, they will be hosting their third annual lemonade stand on the corner of Milltown Road and Bradley Lane Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The charity is named after Alex, a young girl who decided to hold a lemonade stand on her front yard to raise money for children's cancer. Although Alex herself died at a young age from cancer, the success of the charity has continued, and Gina's stand is just one contributor.

Money raised from the sale of cups of lemonade for $1 will go to the charity that raises money for pediatric cancer patients.

"The neighborhood has been very supportive of our lemonade stand," Shaughnessy said. "Several parents have asked if their children can help out. The donations have been generous, and some people will even return for more lemonade later in the day."

Last year alone, Shaughnessy said, they raised $270 in the one day of the stand.

The stand, Shaughnessy said, is registered with Alex's Lemonade under the title "Girls Just Want to Cure Cancer."

"We have an online link, which lets others know when and where the stand will be held, and allows for donations to be placed online if you are unable to stop to buy lemonade," she said. "All of the money that is received is mailed to Alex's Lemonade within two weeks after the lemonade stand."

When they held the first stand in 2008, Shaughnessy said, they realized how much work it took to put together, so, last year, she also asked her younger daughter Jillian, now six years old, to help, as well as cousins living nearby.

"It was perfect because the girls would make up cheerleading acts to perform and attract customers," she said.

And this year, with several girls scheduled to work at the stand, Shaughnessy said they are making one change in offering strawberry lemonade in addition to the regular drink.

For Jillian, she likes to make the lemonade each year, while Gina said she is excited to help the charity.

"I like to make money to help the kids, and I like it because it's fun," Gina said.

For Shaughnessy, she said she is proud to see her children looking forward to participating in a charity each year, and in working with others to accomplish the goal of raising money.

"I enjoy watching the children interact with their customers," she said. "They show a genuine interest in teaching others about children with cancer. It is truly rewarding to know that they are learning about the importance of helping others."