Local Realtors Support Sick Kids Foundation Through Third-Annual Lemonade Stand

Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti took the classic lemonade stand to another level for the third year in a row to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The public was invited to the stand to enjoy food, snacks and lemonade while accepting donations for Sick Kids Hospital on a ‘pay what you want’ basis. Photos could also be taken before a large banner hanging on a trailer's side.

Up to roughly 70 people came to the event at a time to support the cause, a significantly higher number than last year’s.

“We are lucky to be in this community and everybody knows Peterborough is one of the most special places on Earth,” explained Dan. “If we can live here, work here and share, that's exactly what we do.”

The brothers have a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but they know several people who have benefitted from it.

“The greatest thing we've been able to do is hear people's Sick Kids stories in this great city,” said Dion. “We're very lucky that people share it and we're very lucky for what that hospital does for our community.”

Dion Gemmiti (left), Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria (middle) and Dan Gemmiti (right) sharing ice-cold lemonade and pizza with the hundreds of guests that came in and out of the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

New to this year’s stand was wood-fired pizza made by Taso’s, who wanted to jump in on the action.

“I came to the lemonade stand last year and I said, 'Listen, I want to jump in. How can I help?' explained Taso Hatzianastasiou, owner of Taso's Restaurant and Pizzeria. “It was for Sick Kids and I was all on board because have friends and family that gone there and I'll do it gladly for as much as we can.

The brothers aim to continue the lemonade stand annually for as long as possible.

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Local Realtors Hold Second-Annual Lemonade Stand To Benefit Sick Kids Hospital

Local realtors and brothers Dan and Dion Gemmiti brought back an old classic in a lemonade stand to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital on Brealey Drive on Friday morning.

Brothers Dan Gemmiti (left) and Dion Gemmiti (right) sharing an ice-cold lemonade with 20-year-old Manny Frew-Clarke (middle). visitors could get photo ops in a sports car or in front of a trailer with posters of the lemonade stand. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The stand began at 8 a.m. and people were lined up to get a delicious summer drink and donate money prior to the opening. All proceeds went towards Sick Kids Hospital. Visitors could ‘donate what you wanted’ while they got to enjoy lemonade, baked goods and candy that were available at the stand.

Aside from the snacks and refreshments, the public was invited to share their Sick Kids’ stories and take pictures for this one-day event. Hearing the various experiences that visitors told the Gemmitis was rewarding and inspirational when they put on the lemonade stand.

“We're hearing all kinds of amazing stories from people that have been there and people that are currently there who are joining us at our lemonade stand,” he said. “Even strangers are putting in large amounts of money so it's just an incredible day.”

”It's pretty hyped up the whole time but there are a few moments where we met a girl today that's in and out of Sick Kids and you can't help but get a little emotional hearing it,” said Dan. “It's a very powerful day.”

The brothers have had a close family member who has used Sick Kids Hospital’s services but know several people who have benefitted from it.

“We're blessed to have a big community here but there's so many family and friends that we know that have been there and have benefitted from that great hospital so it really is a great place,” explained Dion. “It's where miracles happen and Peterborough's been great to support it.”

The jar of donations was almost full in the last hour of the lemonade stand but there was no goal for the fundraiser according to the Gemmitis.

“It's not goal-driven by the money, it's goal-driven by the feel-good stories,” explained Dion. “Our heart is full and it will be for a long time. The money is secondary to bringing everybody together.”

The fundraising lemonade stand was the second consecutive year the brothers ran it. They aim to continue it annually for as long as possible.

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Local Youngster Hosting Lemonade Stand To Help Friend In Dirt Bike Accident Recovery

Hailey Kahler, of Peterborough, is hosting a lemonade stand on Saturday, with all proceeds going to her friend Nixon Parsons, who has spent the last few weeks at Sick Kids Hospital after a dirt bike accident.

Photo courtesy of Hillary Kahler.

The lemonade stand will happen on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at 387 Edison Ave.

Local businesses have also donated raffle prizes like gift cards to restaurants and prizes.

Everything at the lemonade stand will be $1, with all proceeds going to the Parsons family.

“I want to help him because he’s my friend,” said Hailey. “And maybe buy him something nice to help him feel better.”

Hillary, Hailey’s mom, says they will transfer the funds to the Parsons family so they can use them however they need.

For the last few weeks both of Parsons parents have been by his side, so they have been unable to work.

Family and friends have been donating to allow them to stay in hotels near by and keep up with any bills that may arise.

Hillary says that Hailey has always wanted to do a lemonade stand, so when she heard her friend had been hurt she thought that would be a great way to raise money and put it towards something that matters.

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