Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
A Smoky River Region family is gearing up to host a Lemonade Stand in honour of Stollery Hospital and they hope the community will help support their initiative.
“The Lemonade Stand project is important to our family because all of the money raised is used to support the Stollery,” says Kristen Blanchette of why they host the stand each year. “We have had four immediate family members who have had to go to the Stollery, and we are thankful to have such an incredible facility there when it is needed.”
The family’s lemonade stand will be held on Aug. 23 from 10:30 am until 4:30 pm at 13 3 Ave SW in Falher. Blanchette says to turn west at the Big Bee on Main Street and follow the signs.
“We hope the community will support our lemonade stand because the Stollery is where most youth go for care they cannot receive in our home community,” explains Blanchette. “All of the funds go to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, but this year the funds will go specifically to the Stollery Pediatric Diabetes Education Center.”
Blanchette says last year they were able to raise $2,912.80 for the Stollery and they are hopeful to match that amount or surpass it.
“This year we’re calling our stand McDavid’s Refreshments because we are pretty big Oilers fans,” she explains. “We will have orange and blue Kool-Aid in honour of the Oilers as well as lemonade. We hope that even those who are not Oiler fans still support this very worthy cause.”
Blanchette says they have many family members and close friends who have used the Pediatric Diabetes Education Centre (PDEC).
“Being diagnosed with anything is scary and when a child is diagnosed with diabetes it is life changing, this center really helps families learn how to live with diabetes and is a huge support for the families,” she notes.
“The Stollery is really a hospital within a hospital, and it focuses on kids. You can immediately tell when you have entered the Stollery at the University of Alberta Hospital because it has bright colours, fun pictures on the wall and everything is done with a focus on kids.”
Blanchette says the Stollery is vital because it is committed to providing the best care for kids, going the extra mile to try to make a child’s time in the hospital as pleasant as possible.
She explains it is the only specialized care center for infants, children and youth in northern Alberta.
“We really look forward to doing the lemonade stand together,” she says, urging people to come and chat, have some lemonade and help to raise funds for the hospital.
“We like that the kids are all involved, and they see the importance of giving to others. The kids are the ones that are usually asking us months before the stand if we have registered.”
It’s easy to see why supporting the lemonade stand is beneficial and why thehospital would hold such importance to adults who have ill children, but why is it important to kids?
Melody Maisonneuve (12) says, “It supports the Stollery and many of our family and friends have used the Stollery for important reasons. For example, I had to have surgery at the Stollery, and it has been great for me and my family.”
Maelle Maisonneuve (10) says, “Because it donates money to kids who need it.”
Ellie Maisonneuve (8) says, “Because it’s good to donate money to a place like the Stollery.”
Nash Maisonneuve (6) says, “This year the money goes to help my friend who was diagnosed with diabetes.”
Nate Wirove (9) says, “To give money to the children’s hospital so children can get better.”
Tye Wirove (5) says, “To make people happy and healthy.”
Rosalynn Blanchette (8) says, “The Stollery is important because it helps kids who are sick and can’t be home so that kids can get better.”
Remy Blanchette (5) says,” To help kids who are sick.”
To support the Blanchette/Maisonneuve/Wirove kids in raising funds for the Stollery, they ask that you visit them on Aug. 23 at their Lemonade Stand.
If you are unable to attend but would like to donate, please visit https://lemonadeyeg.ca/ and search stand 370 or McDavid’s Refreshments.