What started as a simple lemonade stand in memory of a loved one has grown into a creative fundraiser for two Winnipeg sisters.
Erika Wedlake, 12, and her sister Carly, 8, are hoping their handmade, crocheted preventative potatoes will help them raise thousands of dollars for CancerCare Manitoba.
“Every year we participate in the CancerCare Lemonade Stand for Hope, and the past two years we have been crocheting lemons, because lemonade,” said Erika. “But this year, since we were out of lemon ideas, we thought, ‘What if we made those really popular positive potatoes into preventative potatoes?'”
A creative twist on a lemonade stand
The sisters have created a variety of preventive potato designs, each featuring a different theme, including a hat, a soccer ball, fruits and vegetables, and other items that promote healthy living.
“They’re very customizable and unique, and they have little signs on them, like ‘This preventative potato is here to remind you to stay active to reduce your cancer risk,'” said Erika.
Each potato takes time to make. Carly spends about one to two hours completing each one, while Erika says she can crochet about five potatoes in a full day if she starts in the morning and works until around 9 p.m.
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Inspired by family
For the Wedlake sisters, cancer hits close to home.
“We had a close relative that died from cancer,” said Erika. “The year after that, we did our first lemonade stand to support and raise money for other people with cancer to hopefully be able to cure cancer. Since then, we’ve been doing it every single year.”
Over the past three years, the sisters have raised more than $5,000 for CancerCare Manitoba.
Helping CancerCare Manitoba
This year’s lemonade stand will take place at the RBC Convention Centre on Thursday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’ll have free lemonade and a free surprise snack,” said Erika. “A donation of $15 or more will get a tax receipt, and if you donate $40, you get one of our potatoes.”
Those who can’t make it to the event can still support the fundraiser by donating online.
This year’s fundraising goal is $2,000.