Small town summers and lemonade stands seem to go hand in hand – but two Fergus youths recently used one to further their goal of helping girls around the world.
On Saturday, the pair teamed up with some family assistance on the shaded sidewalk outside their home at the intersection of Union and St. David Streets.
There was a steady stream of customers both for the lemonade and the home baked cookies on sale.
The girls’ mother Lisa Dalrymple explained her daughters are raising money for the Malala Fund named after Malala Yousafzai a young girl in Pakistan who was shot by a member of the Taliban as a result of standing up for girls rights to be educated.
Yousafzai subsequently began an organization supporting girls worldwide in their rights for an education.
“Dani, in reading some books with me in January, decided that she was furious and really wanted to do something to support them.”
Next to the lemonade stand is the poster that Dani drew at the time.
On it she stated “girls should have the same rights as boys.”
In January, Dani asked if they could do a lemonade stand when the weather was warmer.
Also offered at the stand were two types of cookies baked by Dani and Natalie.
Dalrymple laughed, “they’re going to be here ‘till the cookies are gone … but there are hundreds of them.”
She added this is not the first time the family has been involved in fundraising.
In 2014, they raised $280 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Dani said “it was my idea and Natalie is my older sister.”
“… and [I] helped out a lot,” interjected Natalie.
“Well maybe …” Dani agreed.
As to why she became involved, Dani explained, “It isn’t fair.
“If you think about it then maybe you would figure out that boys and girls should have the same rights.”
Dalrymple estimates over $453 was raised in the venture.
Funds will support www.malala.org
The Malala Fund empowers adolescent girls through secondary education in the most vulnerable communities around the world and to achieve their potential and inspire positive change in their communities
