Lemonade stands will be popping up across the province this weekend, starting today in support of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. Their summer campaign, Lemonade Stands for Hope, launches today to officially kick off the summer start to lemonade season.
However, some communities got a head start on raising funds and awareness for CancerCare.
The Mid-West Arts Council held their annual Car Show & Shine in Hamiota this past week and raised awareness and funds for CancerCare Manitoba at the same time through their Lemonade Stands for Hope efforts.
Arts Council Administrator, Allison Gardham, says they had a great time on Wednesday with dozens of vintage vehicles on display, the sun was shining, and they served up glass upon glass of ice-cold lemonade!
"The day went really great! We decided to bring in the Lemonade Stands for Hope for the first time last year as part of our Show and Shine car show event," explains Gardham. "It's a large community event where a lot of people from the surrounding area come out to be part of the evening, and we thought it was a great opportunity to give back to an important cause in our community."
"A lot of people around here are affected by cancer or have family members that are. So, we wanted to show our support and to make Lemonade Stands for Hope part of our evening, which we did again this year," she says. "We had beautiful weather and a great turnout, and we're really happy to see the Lemonade Stand be a success!"
Seventy-three vehicles were registered to participate and then more showed up, "So we're really happy with the turn to see our community take part in such a substantial way," she adds.
A special addition to this year's lemonade stand in Hamiota was having a member of the Cancer Navigation team offering to be part of our event. "They were here providing information on cancer screening and just touching base with some of the public and making some connections," explains Gardham. "Her ability to put the information out there and make those connections with people, caught people's interest and it was a great way of engaging the public."
"And through that, they're also setting up some other events in the Westman area with people who had shown interest. So, it was nice having that additional support from Cancer Care Manitoba."
Participating in this fun summer campaign for CancerCare Manitoba for the second year in Hamiota has been a special addition to their car show, says Gardham.
"Lemonade Stands for Hope is a really important way to engage the community and just present awareness of the work that Cancer Care Manitoba does. It's also a great way for us to show some community support and raise funds that go back towards efforts in cancer navigation, cancer screening, and cancer treatment," she shares.
"And there are so many people within our area who have been affected by cancer in their lives. And so, it's important to make sure that we're showing support in any way that we can and strengthening the efforts of CancerCare Manitoba."
(Photo credit: Countryside Studio Photography)
To check out where there are Lemonade Stands for Hope in your near your community visit the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation website HERE!