Payton’s Lemonade Stand

I struggled this week to find “Good News” after losing one of my college friends to cancer, and seeing endless stories of gun violence in our area.  However, Payton Obert, a young girl from Cincinnati, brought joy and hope to my heart. Payton’s Lemonade Stand was featured recently on ABC World News Tonight. I hope her story as told by her parents touches you.  Betsy

It all started with Payton. In the summer of 2018, six-year-old Payton decided she wanted to have a lemonade stand. We talked about where the proceeds would go and decided that 100% of all proceeds would go towards purchasing new toys for patients at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Payton received a new toy (teddy bear) when she was a patient there at a very young age and that bear has slept in her bed every single night since. It’s a very special toy to Payton and has provided her with great comfort and security over the years. Now that she’s older, she would like to give back and provide other kids in need with their own special toy. After the success of her first stand in the summer of 2018, Payton decided she wanted to make this an annual event. A year later, at her second stand in the summer of 2019, she raised almost $7,000!! Word started to spread about this annual fundraiser and more kids wanted to get involved. In 2020 we came up with the idea of Payton’s Pals and implemented EIGHT additional stands! Stands were hosted by kids all over the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. Together, with the support of the community, we raised over $35,000 that summer! 

In the summer of 2021, the 4th Annual Payton’s Lemonade Stand added even more stands. With the help of over 100 kids at 30 stands across the Tri-State, we raised $60,000 to sweeten the lives of kids facing hardships!!  In July 2022, there were 50 lemonade stands in 3 states, raising over $85,000! Our goal…to reach $100,000!

I know Payton and her team will make this happen.   ^“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11

For more information and pictures, go to   https://paytonslemonadestand.org/