On a warm summer afternoon in Glendale, California, the sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet suburban street. The heat was stifling, making the pavement shimmer like a distant mirage, but amidst the sweltering conditions, there sat a small lemonade stand, where hope was being poured into plastic cups.
Lily, a brave 8-year-old girl with a determination that belied her years, sat behind the stand with her legs swinging just inches above the ground. Her big brown eyes, full of strength and innocence, scanned the neighborhood for potential customers. Her lemonade stand, a simple setup with a red and white checkered cloth, a pitcher of lemonade, and a mason jar labeled “Donations,” was no ordinary summer activity. It was a mission—a mission to raise money for her chemotherapy treatments.
Lily had been diagnosed with leukemia just a year earlier. What should have been a year filled with the joy of childhood—playing outside, riding her bike, and making memories with friends—was replaced by hospital stays, rounds of chemotherapy, and a body too weak to play. Her golden curls had been shaved down to a soft buzz cut, a visual reminder of the toll her illness had taken on her young body.
But here she was, behind her stand, smiling brightly, as if the world was still as it had been before the illness. She called out to every passerby, her voice filled with hope and determination, “Lemonade for hope!” She wasn’t just selling lemonade; she was raising money to help her survive. With every cup she served, she was not only giving hope to her family but also to herself. Each dollar was a symbol of her courage and her refusal to give in to despair.
Her mother, Sarah, watched from the porch, her heart aching. She was torn between pride for her daughter’s bravery and sorrow for the heavy burden Lily carried. The financial strain of ongoing treatments was immense, and though Lily’s efforts were valiant, Sarah knew that one small lemonade stand couldn’t possibly cover the mounting costs. Still, she couldn’t help but marvel at her daughter’s resilience.
Lily had become more than just a sick little girl; she had become a symbol of strength for her entire family. Her determination to contribute, even in the face of such adversity, was something that Sarah could never have imagined before. But it was that same unwavering spirit that had kept them going through the hardest of times. It wasn’t just about the lemonade. It was about Lily’s fight and her refusal to let leukemia define her.
As the hours passed and the heat of the day intensified, the customers were slow to arrive. Lily didn’t mind. She adjusted her straw hat, wiped the sweat from her brow, and continued to serve, her smile as bright as the sun. Sarah watched her daughter from her lawn chair, feeling both immense pride and deep sadness. She could see that Lily’s effort wasn’t just about helping with medical bills—it was about reclaiming control over her life. But as the day wore on, Sarah couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation. How could they afford all the treatments? How long would it take to raise enough money?
Just as Sarah was beginning to feel the exhaustion of the day herself, a few neighbors began to stop by. Mrs. Johnson, an elderly woman who had lived on the street for years, approached the stand with her cane, her steps slow but deliberate. She had seen Lily sitting there, and without hesitation, she walked over to the stand. “How much for a cup of that lemonade?” she asked warmly.
“One dollar,” Lily replied, her voice steady despite the fatigue in her small frame.
Mrs. Johnson smiled and handed over a ten-dollar bill, insisting that Lily keep the change. As she patted Lily’s hand, she whispered, “Keep fighting, dear. You’ve got this.” Lily’s face lit up, her spirits lifting for the first time that day. She placed the crumpled ten-dollar bill into the mason jar, her small heart soaring with the possibility that maybe, just maybe, she could help her family.
The afternoon continued with more neighbors stopping by, some buying lemonade, others donating to the jar without asking for a drink. But for all the kindness, the reality remained: they were still far from the amount they needed for Lily’s treatment. Sarah could see the doubt creeping into her daughter’s eyes. She could see the weight of the situation settling on Lily’s small shoulders.
Just as Sarah was beginning to feel the burden of that doubt herself, a car slowed down in front of the stand. This time, the driver didn’t just roll down the window and wave like the others had. This man—tall and unassuming—stepped out of the car and walked toward the stand with a quiet energy that commanded attention. He wasn’t a regular passerby. There was something about him that made Lily’s heart skip a beat, though she couldn’t quite place it.
He stopped in front of the stand, crouched down to Lily’s level, and asked, “How much for a cup of lemonade?” His voice was deep and steady, his gaze focused on her with a sense of recognition, as if he understood exactly what she was doing. Lily smiled, a bit unsure of who this stranger might be, but her voice was clear as she replied, “A dollar.”
She carefully poured him a cup of lemonade, her hands trembling slightly from the heat and exhaustion. The man took the cup, sipping it thoughtfully. For a long moment, there was silence as he considered the drink. Then, he smiled at her.
“This is great lemonade, Lily,” he said, his grin widening. “And I think you’ve earned something special.” Without another word, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a checkbook. He quickly scribbled something down, tore the check from the book, and handed it to her.
Lily unfolded the check, her small hands trembling as she read the number written on it. Her heart skipped a beat. “This is for $50,000,” she whispered in awe, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hands shook as she held the check up to Sarah, who had been watching from the porch.
Sarah’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Fifty thousand?” she repeated, her voice trembling with emotion. She rushed to Lily’s side, her hands reaching for the check to confirm what she had just seen. The man, seeing their reaction, smiled warmly.
“Yes, $50,000,” he said gently. “And this is just the beginning.”
At that moment, the crowd began to murmur. Whispers rippled through the neighborhood as the realization hit everyone. The man standing before them wasn’t just anyone—he was Michael Jordan, the legendary basketball player. The icon who had captured the hearts of millions. But despite the awe surrounding him, Michael’s focus remained solely on Lily.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Sarah said, her voice choked with gratitude. “Thank you doesn’t seem enough.”
Michael smiled, his gaze softening. “You don’t need to say anything,” he replied. “Lily here is doing all the real work. She’s the one inspiring us all.”
Lily, still in shock, looked up at Michael. “Are you famous or something?” she asked innocently, her curiosity taking over.
Michael chuckled, his voice warm. “A little bit,” he said with a wink. “But not as famous as you’re going to be, Lily.”
As the day wore on, more neighbors came forward to contribute, their donations a mix of cash, kind words, and encouragement. The ripple effect of Michael’s donation had sparked a wave of generosity, and soon, the donation jar was overflowing. People weren’t just donating money; they were offering their faith in humanity, their belief in the power of kindness.
As the sun set and the crowd began to disperse, Sarah turned to Lily with tears in her eyes. “Do you see, honey?” she whispered. “This is what hope looks like. This is what love looks like.”
Lily smiled, her heart full. She hadn’t just sold lemonade. She had sold hope. And with the generosity of a community and a basketball legend, she knew that her fight was far from over. She had inspired not just her neighborhood, but everyone who had witnessed her courage. The ripple of kindness had started with her, and now it would continue to spread, touching lives in ways she could never have imagined.
Girl Sells Lemonade to Raise Money for Brain Operation
Liza Scott, who is running a lemonade stand to help fund her own brain surgery, holds a donation at her mother’s bakery in Homewood, Alabama. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)
Liza Scott is a seven-year-old girl in the southern U.S. state of Alabama. Like many young girls, she became interested in earning money. So, she created a small table where she sells a cold drink made from lemon juice, water and sugar.
This is called a lemonade stand. The stand is at her mother’s bakery, a business that sells baked goods like bread. Her mother, Elizabeth Scott, runs Savage’s Bakery, near the city of Birmingham.
At first, the lemonade stand was something to do for fun. Liza sold the drinks for 25 cents a glass. She was going to use the money to buy toys and pretty shoes.
But then the stand became much more important.
Liza has a health problem that will require surgery.
She suffers from seizures because part of her brain did not grow correctly. Doctors in Boston will work to fix the problem during several visits.
Elizabeth Scott said she has good health insurance, which will help pay for some of the treatment. But the trips to Boston will be costly and the insurance will not pay for them.
Now, instead of just being a way to raise money for fun things, the money from the lemonade stand will help pay for the treatment.
Selling cold drinks for less than a dollar will not actually raise much money. So instead, the stand is a place where people can visit to give money that will help Liza with her medical treatment.
So far, people have come to the bakery to buy lemonade and given Liza some extra money, too.
“I’ve got a $20 bill, and a $50 bill and a $10 bill and a $5 bill and a $100 bill,” Liza said, counting donations.
So far, people have given over $12,000.
But Elizabeth Scott also created an internet fundraiser where people from anywhere can donate money to Liza. It has gathered over $300,000 so far.
“I can’t fund that by myself,” Elizabeth said about the extra medical costs for her daughter. She called the costs “pretty exorbitant.”
Critics of the U.S. healthcare system say they do not think a child who needs a brain operation should have to raise money to fund her own care.
Liza said she thinks running the lemonade stand makes her feel like she is helping. “It’s better than just begging,” she said.
The family did not find out about Liza’s problem until late January. She had a seizure that lasted 45 minutes, her mother said.
If Liza’s brain problem is not treated, doctors say she could suffer a more serious brain injury, like a stroke.
Liza’s first surgery will be on March 8, but she could need additional visits for another 25 years.
Liza said she tries not to think too much about her brain problem.
“I’m not worried, but I’m afraid,” she said.
I’m Dan Friedell.
