Lemonade Stand Doubles Proceeds At Second Sale

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A 6-year-old Crystal Lake girl has raised more than $1,000 for her uncle who is battling testicular cancer through sales at her lemonade stand in recent weeks. Cheyanne Alexander raised more than $500 this past weekend — a week after raising $581 — during her second lemonade stand held outside her home in Crystal Lake, her parents told Patch.

Cheyanne's parents, Marshall and Briana Alexander, were shocked by the turnout the lemonade stand has gotten in recent weeks. The money raised will go to Cheyanne's uncle Paul, 33. Paul, who is married to Briana's sister, Mistie, is out of work following his first round of chemotherapy.

Marshall Alexander told Patch officers from the Crystal Lake Police Department made a stop out to Cheyanne's lemonade stand this past Sunday. The lemonade stand will be up and running again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Sunday but this time will be located outside the Sports Clips, 656 Northwest Highway in Cary.

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Cheyanne got the idea for the lemonade stand after she successfully sold one of her bracelets curbside to a passerby. The bracelet was made of strips of paper that were glued together. After that, she asked her parents if she could have a lemonade stand and give the money to her uncle.

"She knows he's sick — we don't use the 'C' word because that's a lot for a child," Alexander said.

Paul and Mistie, who live in Texas, have a 9-year-old girl and are currently relying solely on Mistie's income. The extra money will undoubtedly help her sister's family, Alexander added.

"He's done one round of chemo and his doctors are very hopeful he will be better after four rounds," she said. "He could be out of work for a while."

Briana Alexander advertised the first lemonade stand by posting information on neighborhood Facebook pages. But she didn't expect the turnout her daughter received.

"We honestly had no idea that so many people would show up," Alexander said. "We kind of figured, for a lemonade stand, we would maybe make $20."

But then people started giving Cheyanne $20 and $50 bills, and her proceeds started adding up quickly. Some would take the lemonade — to keep it safe due to the coronavirus they had Crystal Lite lemonade packets and water bottles for people to grab — but many just made a donation.

"Honestly, I probably cried all day," Alexander said, adding that her family was overwhelmed by the support.

Cheyanne will again be selling lemonade, pink lemonade, root beer, popsicles and baked goods at this weekend's sale. In addition, necklaces and earrings, which were donated to the family, will be sold. All proceeds from those items will go toward her uncle.

Cheyanne will also be selling her paper bracelets for $1.

For those who will not be able to stop out but would like to help you can donate online.