The fourth annual Good Lemonade Day fundraiser has successfully raised an impressive $30,500 during the province-wide event held on June 14.

This initiative, designed to engage children in philanthropy while raising funds for JoeAnna’s House, saw nearly 60 lemonade stands set up across 14 B.C. communities, including Cranbrook and Fernie. Previous years raised $17,500 in both year one and year two, and $26,720 was raised last year, making this year’s grand total the best one yet!

Carly Malchuk, Director of Community Engagement for JoeAnna’s House, is thrilled about the ongoing growth and success of the fundraiser.

“Each year, Good Lemonade Day sets a record, not just in the funds raised, but in the creativity, energy, and heart that pours out of every single stand. On behalf of all of us at JoeAnna’s House, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Laing Roofing, Prestige Hotels and Resorts, and every young philanthropist and supporter who makes this magical day happen. Your continued generosity is helping us expand JoeAnna’s House, adding 10 more rooms, meaning more families will have a safe and supportive place to stay when they need it most. Together, we’re better together, and for that, we are so grateful,” she said.

For Salmon Arm mom of five, Kayla Vannieuwenhuizen, the cause is a truly meaningful one as they stayed in JoeAnna’s House for several weeks when their daughter Hattie was born premature several years ago.

“Our family was so happy to participate in Good Lemonade Day again this year. Being our third year, we wanted to make sure we once again surpassed our goals in raising as much as we could for Joanna’s House. We worked hard with local businesses who donated their time and products to ensure we could raise the most yet – $2200. We remember first-hand the feeling of having a soft place to land when Hattie was in the NICU and hope the future expansion of JoeAnna’s house can leave more families feeling the same way,” she said.

Each lemonade stand was given a starter pack of supplies including two exclusive t-shirts, lemonade mix, signage and balloons.

Many stands went above and beyond by selling treats and adding creative decorations to boost their donations. Family-run stands were mostly located in Kelowna, with others in Fernie, Cranbrook, Rossland, Vernon, and Salmon Arm.

Prestige Hotels and Resorts played a significant role by hosting lemonade stands and special events at each of their 19 properties in B.C.

The event’s success was made possible by key partners who provided financial support, ensuring that 100% of donations went to the cause.

JoeAnna’s House offers 20 guestrooms, a family kitchen and common area, guest laundry, and a workout facility. Located just steps from Kelowna General Hospital, it provides accommodations for thousands of out-of-town B.C. families with loved ones receiving care at KGH.

Plans are currently underway to expand the facility to add another 10 guestrooms, as the demand and need for services has been so strong in recent years. As of June 1, more than 2,929 families have stayed since the doors were opened in 2018 (28,160 nights), with more than 1,160 families left on the waitlist.

For more information on the event, please visit Good Lemonade Day goodlemonadeday.ca

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