Heard at the playhouse

Lemonade Stand Raises Money and Awareness for GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford

Remember the days of lemonade stands?  They’re back…and sweeter than ever for GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford.

Many of us probably hosted a lemonade stand growing up (or enjoyed one hosted by someone else). But not as many of us have most likely hosted one and donated 100% of the proceeds to benefit a sister.

Nearly four years ago, pre-teen Grace Berlage decided to host a lemonade stand after reading the book, “The Lemonade War,” by Jacqueline Davies.  The book inspired Grace to host her own lemonade stand.  With a little encouragement from her mother, Grace raised nearly $500 and donated all of it to GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford, a non-profit organization that had just opened its doors six months earlier.

GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford is near and dear to Grace’s heart as her older sister, Julia, has Down syndrome. Word spread about the lemonade stand and the following year, other local families joined the effort and hosted their own lemonade stands to benefit GiGi’s.

The next year, local businesses joined the effort, resulting in Rockford families and businesses raising nearly $5000.00 for GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford.  That’s a lot of lemonade…and a lot of generous thirsty patrons!

The best part is the lemonade stand fundraising idea not only benefitted our local playhouse but other GiGi’s Playhouse locations across the country that adopted the idea and started having their own lemonade stands.  New York, Chicago, and Des Moines are just a few cities who participated in hosting lemonade stands to benefit their local playhouses.

Grace Berlage, along with a few of her friends, started with a simple idea of holding a lemonade stand to benefit an organization that helps her sister with literacy, social skills, and life skills.  Ultimately, however, that idea turned into so much more.  One little girl started a nationwide phenomenon and showed the impact that one young person’s idea can have using her determination and her love for her sister to get it done.

That’s why GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford honored Grace Berlage with the first annual “Teen Award” at our annual gala on Friday, March 21, 2014, World Down Syndrome Day.  Grace attends the Renaissance Gifted Program at Rockford Public Schools’ Marshall Middle School and is an entrepreneur in heart and spirit and will always be a friend to both her sister and to GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford.

Maybe you’d like to join us for our next “Lemonade Days” fundraiser?  Families, organizations and businesses are welcome to take part Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, 2014.Lemonade stands can be held either day or both days. If you’d rather enjoy the lemonade and treats, watch for the list of lemonade stand locations this year on www.gigisplayhouse.org/rockford and Facebook.  Grace’s support combined with that of all donors helps those with Down syndrome and their families to be inspired and empowered to lead successful lives.