Ballston Spa Lends a Hand — One Glass of Lemonade at a time
The Lemonade stand packed the streets as people of all ages came out to support the family of Ollie Seymore (Aidan Cahill)
A local group is working to help raise money for a family dealing with childhood leukemia — one glass of lemonade at a time.
On Aug. 2, the area outside the Ribbon café in Ballston Spa was closed to vehicle traffic as residents came together around a lemonade stand to raise money for the family of Oliver Seymore — known as Ollie.
The event was organized by Ballston Spa Sunshine Kids, a local group who puts together a yearly lemonade stand to benefit a local family dealing with illness. Co-organizer Patricia Stevenson said the group started as just two families in the Ballston Spa community looking to help others.
“Every year, we’re usually trying to find somebody that we can donate to,” Stevenson said “This year, Kate found his family along with the owner of the Ribbon Cafe, and he just wanted to be able to help. Obviously, childhood cancer is something that, not only is very difficult for the child but affects the whole family, affects the family’s ability to work, to be able to support their family.”
As for this year’s recipient, Stevenson said Ollie was diagnosed on the day after Christmas last year and has been battling the disease ever since.
During the May 2 event, the block outside the Ribbon Café was packed with local organizations. Representatives from the Lions Club, Brookside Museum and other organizations were there while a local wrestling team set up a dunk tank, local race teams showed off their cars and the fire fighters from Ballston Spa showed off their gear. There was also a bouncy house set up for kids to play in.
Ollie was diagnosed with childhood cancer the day after Christmas. The lemonade stand has so far raised over $12,000 for his ( Courtesy of the Ballston Spa Sunshine Kids)
Stevenson thanked the community for coming out and for raising awareness about the family.
“One of the beautiful things that we’re just very blessed with every year to see how the community comes together,” Stevenson said “They’re volunteering their time and their services so that they can make this more of a family event, because this is about helping a child.”
As of Aug. 6, the lemonade stand has raise over $12,000 to help Ollie’s family. Stevenson said the money is used however the family sees fit — whether it be medical bills, groceries or just being able to spend time together.
Those still looking to donate can do so via their go fund me.
