Never underestimate the power of an Arnold Palmer.
Or a curly-headed child, holding a lemonade stand sign.
My 10 year old and I are proud members of TeamRMHC — Team Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Georgia. Our group of almost 200 runners from around the U.S. is raising money and logging the miles to prep for races at the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend.
All team members pledge to raise at least $750.
Joe and I needed a little jump start to our efforts.
I baked cookies. Brewed tea and put tons of sugar in it. And googled what lemonade mix tastes best.
Dad made a few signs and I put them in Joe’s hands. Out front of the house.
Our first customer. Neighbor and all-around-good-guy, Rob Jones.
I really wish I could have photoed everyone stopping by — but I was too busy.
And kept pushing Joe out on the street corner.
Thanks. Thanks to all who came by.
— The teachers we hadn’t seen in a while.
— The people who saw Joe as they were speeding by and took the time to circle back around the block.
— For the people who read a Facebook post and got in their cars to drop by.
— For the nice man from Kenyon, Minnesota. A truck driver whose friends had told him, he needed to stop one day and take the walking tour through Madison. He remarked most Minnesotans don’t know where Kenyon is. I told him my husband was from Wadena and asked if he knew where Wadena was?
“Any Minnesotan who drives truck knows where Wadena is.” Wonder if he knew my husband and his friends affectionately refer to Wadena as The Wad on the Prairie?
— For the nice folks who stopped from Watkinsville. Tennessee fans who noticed my Gator flag asked if I was from Florida. Well, turns out that a cute woman in the back seat and I went to the same high school. And she was the same class as my sister. Go Wildcats!
— For folks, complete strangers who stopped and were so generous.
— Honestly the pilots, dancers, artists, moms, grandparents with visiting grandchildren, former mayors, lawyers, teachers, yogis, lobbyists, personal trainers,
dads, foster parents, truck drivers, school bus drivers, IRONMEN, cyclists and horse-rescuers — all who took the time to walk up, drive up and chat — were generous.
— Loved meeting a woman pushing a stroller, who said that they had to stay in an Atlanta Ronald McDonald House this spring. And how wonderful they were. Got her number for a later post.
— The amazing folks who stopped when it was just me alone out there. Joe did start taking some breaks from the heat at the end. Anyone who would stop for a 51-year-old women sitting behind a Sharpie lemonade stand sign is tops in my book.
People saw this and stopped anyway.
— We raised $366.39. Do you believe it? All this is going into Joe’s fund.
Air kisses all around. Such a great morning.
Here’s our team page. Any donation is so very appreciated.
Will post our progress on the blog. We plan to visit the Macon Ronald McDonald House next weekend.
Linking up with the grateful gang at . . .
How awesome are you and joe? What a haul! THose musta been some incredible drinks and cookies! Ronald couldnt have done better himself. I had friends stay last year in a RM House and they had nothing but wonderful to report. Unfortunately their son didnt make it but Ronald House was integral in letting them stay close as a family at a really desperate time. Thanks for doing this Jamie… I gotta go check out your page.
xoxo Zoe.
It’s always so nice to meet great people along the way. It makes life a little less tiring, doesn’t it?
It definitely was energizing Michelle. Didn’t really think of it that way — but it certainly was. Very positive.
That’s such a brilliant cause, and a wonderful thing you both did. How lovely that so many people stopped.
We recently had a Ronald McDonald House built at our local hospital – they’re such wonderful places for families at such a difficult time.
Thanks Lizzi. Joe and I are going to visit the Central Georgia house next weekend. I think it will help us better understand all they do.
Jamie, what a wonderful cause and I’m so impressed that you raised so much from lemonade, cookies, and sweet tea! You and your son are awesome!!! Going to go check out your team page now.
Wow! What great fundraising success! Have fun on your run–the Disney races are fantastic!
You and Joe rock!!
Yay for TeamRMHC!
Wow that is excellent! I love it that you had a wonderful turnout and raised so much.
Yes Kenya. Winners all around. Says a lot for our community.
Yes Jani. Everyone was great.
Great post! Love that you are raising money for the Ronald McDonald house. I have not stayed in one but they have a RMH room on the ICU floor where tiara has spent lots of time. I love going to that beautiful room to just get away for a few minutes. Xoxo tiffani
Your tireless patience and love for Tiffani is an inspiration to me.
Holy COW! That’s amazing!! Congrats Joe (and Jamie) 🙂
I know Jana. Woo. Thanks to all who stopped by — we are on our way!
Wow I love this! I’ve visited the RMH before and I was planning to get involved with helping them more before we moved to Arizona. Such a great concept and organization. Your son and his red hair is so cute! 🙂
That is one impressive lemonade stand! The thought of you out there by yourself made me giggle and wonder if I would have stopped for a grown woman selling lemonade in front of her house. 🙂
Have fun on your run! It is a great cause you are running for!
Thanks Brittnei.
I know Christine. Good thing I am a kid at heart, because I would have felt pretty silly. But it was such a positive experience. I loved it. Though the heat and humidity were good for sales. I wilted a bit.
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I am so impressed that you raised that much. My daughter’s sorority supports the Ronald McDonald House in Temple, TX. They are having a “mock”tail party to raise funds. The girls will submit different non-alchoholic drinks for a taste test contest at the house in Temple.
That sounds cool. I need to find ways to pump up my total. Joe has over $600 and I need to have at least $300 by middle of November.