DALTON — The Rudolfi twins and Werner triplets began their lives in the same neonatal intensive care unit.
Eight years later, the five girls share a generous spirit and inseparable bond. Their families do, too.
Aislyn and Harlyn Rudolfi of Ransom Twp. and Lennon, Aubryn and Nolan Werner of the Peckville section of Blakely spent Tuesday afternoon scooping ice and filling cups with lemonade outside the Dalton Fire Company, all to benefit the same NICU at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest outside Allentown where they were born.
Liz Rudolfi lauded the care and support from the NICU nurses throughout both her and her friend Beth Werner’s hospital stays.
“I’m very emotional when it comes to it,” she said. “Both of our pregnancies were really, really tough. The outcome that (the children) might not make it was definitely a very high possibility. We’re so beyond grateful that they’re here with us today — and they’re happy and healthy and sassy little things.”
As the end of summer vacation nears, instead of riding bikes or taking a trip to the park, the girls are dedicated to helping others.
“It really speaks volumes to who and how they are,” Beth Werner said. “They are very selfless little girls. They’re nearly always putting somebody else before them, if it’s each other, if it’s a greater cause is not surprising whatsoever. There is nowhere else they would rather be.”
Beth Werner and Liz Rudolfi were on the same ward of the hospital prior to giving birth just three days apart. They eventually connected on Facebook and a meeting at Ritter’s sparked a close friendship.
“Maybe a year after the girls were born, Liz reached out to me and we spoke briefly, and then about a year and a half we started doing absolutely everything together,” Beth Werner said. “We became family and (the girls) became sisters. They couldn’t be closer; they always show up and support each other.”
Dalton fireman and borough DPW worker Dale Richmond, also uncle of Aislyn and Harlyn Rudolfi, buys lemonade from the stand in Dalton Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Aislyn Rudolfi, Aubryn Werner, Nolan Werner, Harlyn Rudolfi, and Lennon Werner pose for a photograph at their lemonade stand set up outside of the Dalton Fire Company in Dalton Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Dalton fireman and borough DPW worker Dale Richmond, also uncle of Aislyn and Harlyn Rudolfi, buys lemonade from the stand in Dalton Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The girls had already raised more than $1,200 before Tuesday’s event.
“We were together and we thought we’ll get the crates, let them design them, and then they started making their own crafts,” Liz Rudolfi said.
Rudolfi noted the girls’ giving attitude has been prevalent throughout the process.
“(They) never asked a question, ‘Can we get any of this? Can we buy anything?,’” she said.
The donation will allow the hospital to provide gas cards to families who need to travel as well as fun treats such as costumes for the the NICU Halloween contest, Rudolfi said.
Becky Salter, nurse navigator at Lehigh Valley – Cedar Crest, who was the bedside nurse when the girls were in the NICU, remains in contact with the families and shares in memorable moments.
“I feel like NICU nurses create a really unique bond with families and patients because you follow those kiddos from the time they’re in the NICU until they’re discharged … and now eight years later I’m drinking lemonade from a lemonade stand the girls have,” she said. “I’ve gone to the girls birthday parties, and I’ve already been invited to graduations. We’ve often said their babies are our babies so it’s like our kids are growing up too.”
Harlyn Rudolfi enjoyed giving back to the hospital by making and selling lemonade Tuesday.
“I just think it’s right because we were born there, and they helped us,” she said.
When asked about the recipe, Nolan Werner remained coy.
“All I know is that there’s lemons in it,” she said. “It can’t be lemonade without lemons.”