As the saying goes, if life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
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And lemonade helped River Forest neighbors raise $2,115 for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. The neighbors presented their proceeds to the hospital board at a meeting last month.
Each year, on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the neighbors living in the 700 block of Bonnie Brae Place join forces to run the Charity Lemon-Aid Stand to raise money for a good cause.
“We wanted to recognize Sept. 11 by doing something charitable,” said Patty Henek, who lives on the block and helped organize this year’s event.
In 2002, the first year for Lemon-Aid, the group raised $400 for Hephzibah Children’s Association in Oak Park. The following year, $900 went to the Oak Park-River Forest Food Pantry, and last year $1,600 was raised for West Suburban Special Recreation.
For their latest lemonade stands, neighbors went through 30 cans of powdered lemonade, 30 dozen homemade cookies, lots of popcorn and countless cupcakes.
“We hope to continue for years to come,” Henek said.