When life gives you lemons, start up a lemonade stand.
That’s what Olivia Esposito, 8, and Paul Esposito, 6, did out of their apartment building’s basement on Dec. 8.
The Bayside siblings raised $922 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national charity organization that benefits pediatric cancer awareness, at The Towers at Water’s Edge’s community center.
“I want to help out,” said Paul, a first grader at Sacred Heart School.
The youngsters enthusiastically doled out cup after cup of lemonade for two hours to about 50 residents, according to their mother, Anne Marie Esposito.
The stand was set up to honor Anne Marie’s late sister, Ellen Medici, who died at age 5 from a brain tumor.
“I’m really touched by all the people who have been so generous,” Anne Marie said. “I wanted the kids to learn a simple but powerful message to give back from their hearts. It’s very important for them to learn, especially in the times we live in.”
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started in 2005 in memory of Alexandra Scott, who died of cancer at age 8. Since then, the foundation has raised more than $65 million to help fund more than 375 research projects.
“I’m very proud of them, and they’re proud to do it,” Anne Marie said of her proactive kids. “They want a cure, just as Alex wanted a cure.”
To donate, click here.
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