In 2006 two little girls held a lemonade stand in hopes for buying a playhouse. They only raised about $100 and decided to give the proceeds to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They had no idea what would come of that first lemonade stand.

I just happened to be one of those little girls and from that first lemonade stand has now become the annual Rachel’s Lemonade for St. Jude event.

Since then I, along with several friends, have held a lemonade stand every year during the 127 Yard Sate with all proceeds given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Each year the money is donated to St. Jude and a brick is placed in the Pathway of Hope. We’ve had eight bricks placed at the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Each brick was either in tribute or in honor of someone or something special to us.

In 2010 I had the honor of touring St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee and saw some of the bricks on the Pathway of Hope.

I have a great passion for St. Jude. I am very thankful that God has blessed me with good health and I believe that we should help others that may not be as fortunate as we are.

I would like to thank everyone who has ever stopped by for lemonade and given a donation. And a big thank you to all of my friends who come out each year to help.

I am especially thankful to God, He has given me wonderful opportunities. I couldn’t do a lemonade stand let alone go about my everyday life without God helping me through.

Please remember the patients at St. Jude, their families and anyone who has a part in St. Jude.

Also, remember Rachel’s Lemonade for St. Jude in your prayers.

Don’t forget to stop by and get some lemonade. You can find me at my grandmother Nelda Sawyer’s house beside Talbott Funeral Home each year during the 127 Sale.

Rachel Sawyer