'Lemon-Aid Kid' Honored For Charity Efforts In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — When temperatures soared above 100 degrees last summer, Dalton Sardo set up a lemonade stand outside his family's home in Pine Lake Park.

While many kids might see it as a chance to earn money for a video game, Dalton had other ideas, raising money for various charities, including Popcorn Park Zoo and to help a young Barnegat girl diagnosed with cancer with a dream trip to Disney.

He also donated funds to support Manchester police, fire and EMS, and to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which raises funds for childhood cancer research.

His summer project earned the Dalton the nickname of the "Lemon Aid Kid," highlighting his efforts for charity.

On Wednesday, Dalton was honored by Manchester Township Police Chief Robert Dolan with a Civilian Service Award during the annual Manchester Township Police Departmental Awards Ceremony for his efforts to help his community.

Dalton asked his mother, Amy O’Brien-Sardo, to help him set up the stand, and as word of it spread, he had all kinds of official visitors supporting his efforts, Manchester police said.

In addition to presenting Dalton with the Civilian Service Award, the Manchester Township PBA Local 246 will be donating $1,000 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research in Dalton's honor.

"Congratulations, Dalton! We appreciate all that you've done for our community," the police department said in a Facebook post about the honor.