Saturday is lemonade stand day, to support local Childhood Cancer Campaign.

Saturday is lemonade stand day, to support local Childhood Cancer Campaign.

The thirteenth annual Ludington Optimist Club Childhood Cancer Campaign Lemonade Stand Day will take place on Saturday, June 1 at locations throughout Mason County and in Pentwater. All proceeds from the stands will go to assist two area families who have a child that has been diagnosed.

“This fundraiser is about area kids and adults helping area kids,” said Tom Ezdebski, co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Campaign. “We have numerous stands being held and we are asking folks to stop and make a donation to help out these families who are going through a difficult time.”

Stands will be at the following locations:

1. 405 N. Main Street, Scottville: Alway family (also selling asparagus for the campaign).
2. 4572 West US 10, Amber Township (Tractor Supply): AmiJo, Joe and Loren Voorheis
3. 115 W. Ludington Avenue, Ludington (My Sister’s Closet): Andrea Benedict & kids
4. 6656 W. Dunecrest, Pere Marquette Township (near White Pine Village): Carrie and Chris Jeruzal and kids
5. 114 W. Ludington Avenue, Ludington (Todd and Brad Reed Art Gallery): Debbie Reed
6. 266 N. Jebavy Drive, Pere Marquette Township (Preferred Credit Union): Credit Union staff
7. 402 W. Ludington Avenue, Ludington (House of Flavors): Niki Shafer and kids
8. 212 S. Pere Marquette Hwy, Pere Marquette Township (Orchard Market): Sandy Papes, Rylee Cregg and friends
9. 706 E. Tinkham Avenue, Ludington (OJ DeJonge Middle School): Staff and students
10. 168 S. Hancock Street, Pentwater (Cosmic Candy Company): Geri Bye and kids
11. 4374 W. Monroe Road, Pentwater Township (Pentwater Convenience Center): Andrea Bryce and kids
12. 202 N. Rath Avenue, Ludington (Ludington Daily News): Jeff and Michelle Kiessel and kids
13. 404 Filer Street, Ludington: Erika Burgess and kids
14. 8418 US 31, Free Soil Township (Orchard Market): Sue Greenslait
15. 6624 Jagger Rd., Hamlin Township: Kline family.

The Pentwater School National Honor Society members already held their lemonade stand earlier this month, serving as the kickstarter for this year’s event. In addition, these stands will take place either before or after Saturday, June 1:

1. Corner of St. Paul and Tinkham Avenue in Ludington: Sarah and Mike Jeruzal, Friday, May 31, evening.
2. Oriole Field on Tinkham Avenue, Ludington: Relay for Life event, June 22.
3. 900 N. Washington Avenue (Leta’s Educational Childcare): Leta Bowman and kids, to be announced.

The lemonade is given for a donation, rather than sold for a set price.

Currently, the Ludington Optimist Club provides assistance to five families who have a child with a cancer diagnosis. Since nearly all of the families have to travel to Grand Rapids for medical appointments and chemotherapy treatments, the Childhood Cancer Campaign assists with travel expenses by supplying gas cards to the families. Financial assistance is also provided for expenses such as groceries, utility and mortgage payments, and vehicle maintenance expenses.

“We help with whatever each family identifies as their needs,” Ezdebski said. “It’s a very individualized program. With the cost of everything going up, having a serious medical event can put families on the edge. The Optimist Club wants area families to know that they don’t have to worry as much about expenses during such a difficult time because the Club’s Childhood Cancer Campaign is going to be there to help them.”