Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
A lemonade stand sprung up at The Draycott in Palisades Village on Saturday, March 12, to raise funds for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and help Ukrainians in need amid the nation’s ongoing crisis.
Marissa and Matt Hermer’s children—Sadie, Max and Jake—decided to open shop on the restaurant’s front lawn and sell $2 lemonade.
“[When] the Ukraine-Russia situation started to unfold, we shared with the kids what is happening … Specifically, I showed them the picture of the strollers that the Polish mothers left at the train station for the Ukrainian mothers who were fleeing with their babies,” Marissa said to the Palisadian-Post. “This is something that is part of the conversation in our family household a lot right now. Our kids said, ‘Well, let’s do something … How can we help?’ And we thought of ways that we can raise money, and they thought of a lemonade stand.”
Marissa said she supported her children’s efforts and the turnout was “incredible.” They sold over 400 cups of lemonade to Palisadians.
“My reason why … I’m so supportive of this is I think we all need to do something now and I think it’s great to show our kids that they can take action, big or small. You don’t need to be a grown-up to be able to help people,” Marissa said. “Even though … Ukraine is far away, we can do something to help. It was a great experience for them.”
On Saturday, Max was in charge of scooping ice and pouring lemonade, while Jake connected with patrons and Sadie handled the funds.
“Then I would switch them all because, as an entrepreneur myself, I was like, ‘You need to know every role in the business,’” Marissa said with a laugh.
The team set out with a goal of $2,000 and raised a total of $1,345 to donate to the UNHRC as the Post went to print Tuesday evening. Marissa said she and Matt plan to match the final amount.
“It was … definitely one of the most nourishing days I’ve had. It was wonderful to meet our neighbors and friends here, and share so many smiles and actually some tears … These terrible atrocities, what they also do is bring us together,” Marissa said. “And I explained the quote, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” [to the kids] so that has particular resonance to them.”
The Hermer’s donation link is live until March 24. To make a donation, visit paypal.com/pools/c/8HRwTQzQYP.
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