By Cecilia Nasmith

The lemonade stands that sprouted up at roadsides this summer may be gone – but the ones set up in support of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation's Lemon Aid initiative raised more than $6,400 for the hospital.

The foundation invited members of the community to help turn lemons into lemonade for this seasonal fundraiser at the beginning of July, and the result was 20 lemonade stands – and $6,420.13 raised to help fund critical medical equipment and technology at NHH.

“We are so impressed by the young and young-at-heart folks in our community who stepped up to host a stand,” Foundation Community Engagement and Events Specialist Melissa Allison said in the announcement.

“Seeing so many children wanting to help people in their community is really inspiring, and it gives a lot of hope for a bright future. We were also lucky to have many friends of the foundation and local businesses – like the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope and Headwaters Farm in Hamilton Township – join us in hosting Lemon-Aid stands this summer.”

Lemon-Aid was supported by Davis's Your Independent Grocer in Port Hope. Upon registration, participants received starter kits that included $5 gift cards to the Independent.

Hosts took on the planning and executing of their own stands. Many showed a wonderful creativity – hand-squeezing their lemonade, selling extras like popsicles and cookies, offering unique twists to that classic refreshing beverage like mint and pink-watermelon versions.

Allison extends thanks to all the stand hosts and their friends and family members, as well as to members of the community who stopped to show their support.

“Some of the hosts have let us know they're already planning how to be even more creative with their stands next year, and we can't wait to see what they have in store for summer 2023,” she said.

For more information on how you can support the foundation, visit www.nhhfoundation.ca