On the night of Sept. 11, 2001, Chris Hauri and her neighbors in River Forest sat around a firepit, reflecting on the mayhem that was brought upon the country that morning.
It was an emotional moment, Hauri said, and they felt like they should do something for the community.
That idea turned into LemonAid — a way to give back to the community through a block-wide lemonade stand. Friday marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and for the past 24 years, LemonAid has stepped up and raised funds for charities in River Forest and neighboring communities and charities.
Hundreds around the Oak Park and River Forest area helped continue the tradition while commemorating the anniversary of the terrorist attacks at the LemonAid event on Friday in the 700 block of Bonnie Brae for what they announced would be the event’s final year.
“I’ve never seen LemonAid so crowded,” one attendee said.
Due to the workload it takes to bring the event together and original members stepping down from taking on leadership roles, this year is set to be the last for the annual event, organizers said.
But for one last time, they had a chance to celebrate their two decades of supporting area charities by serving up fresh lemonade.
“The real joy that we get is from seeing our kids grow up with a sense of philanthropy and how they know that by doing something kind and good can make an impact on people who really need it,” Hauri said.
Only one or two charities benefited from the event in each of its previous years, but since it was the final year of the LemonAid, the funds were going to be sent to most of the nearly 30 charities they’d supported over the previous years.
When it first started in 2002, having the lemonade stand was a way for the community’s kids to participate in something for a good cause. There were only about one or two tables in the driveway handing lemonade to the community for charity. They raised about $400 for Hephzibah Children’s Association in Oak Park. Over the years it turned into a blockwide celebration of generosity.
The progression of the event over the years was a shock for co-founder Patty Henek.
“It’s almost hard to put into words, you almost have to experience it to really appreciate it,” she said. “What has been so amazing about it is that the community has really embraced this event.”
Over its lifetime it has raised and donated over $700,000 for various causes.
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Those who started out as kids helping plan the event have moved up to co-chair positions and for one last time were helping out with reaching out to the beneficiaries, public relations and other organizational procedures.
Even after it’s gone, LemonAid will live on, not only in the memories of participants.
The funds from LemonAid 2021 went to the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society, helping sponsor a medical exam room. The room was named after the group.
“We are so grateful to have this room to help one of our medical exam rooms and have it be state of the art equipment,” said Rowena Abrahams, marketing director of Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society.
Earlier in the day a more solemn recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks brought dozens of Oak Park community members and local officials together.
The Oak Park community assembled at Fire Station 1 to pay respects to those who died and had their lives forever affected by the terror attacks.
Officials rang a sacred bell in memory of the civilians and the safety officials who lost their lives and also read the hundreds of names of safety officials who died. Officials also reminded those in attendance to remember the sacrifices of those who fought to protect their country.
“September 11 showed our country what it meant to come together,” said Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson. “It showed public safety, it showed us what we do best, which is putting others before us.”