Kids to Know: Caroline and Charlotte Gallagher, C&C Lemonade Factory

This June marks the 20th anniversary of the first Lemonade Days, a tradition that was started by 8-year-old Alex Scott, founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, to help doctors help kids like her who were fighting cancer. Before Alex passed away in 2004, she knew that Lemonade Days raised $1 million for childhood cancer, and it continues to do so year after year.

The Gallagher sisters are proud contributors to the success of this movement. While they know first-hand the struggles and sadness that come from the fight against cancer, Caroline (10) and Charlotte (8) have learned to turn lemons into “lemonade” with a celebration that is changing lives.

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Caroline, tell us about yourself and why your family became so involved with supporting childhood cancer research and treatment.

Caroline: When I was diagnosed with cancer, I wanted to find a way to help my friends who were still in the hospital.

Charlotte, what do you know about Caroline’s diagnosis, and how does it make you feel as her sister?

Charlotte: I feel so proud of my big sister fighting cancer and for helping other people. I am glad she is healthy now.

How did the idea for the lemonade stand start? What inspired both of you to want to raise money to help other kids?

Caroline: One Saturday morning I had the idea to have a lemonade stand so I could raise money to buy toys for the kids still in the hospital.

Tell us about your events. What do you do, and how do you make money?

Caroline: Our main lemonade stand event is the first week of June each year and it goes along with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s national Lemonade Days event. We set up a lemonade stand in our front yard and hundreds of people come to donate and support our cause. Our main event has turned into a party event with face painting, balloon animals, popcorn, cotton candy and sports mascots. We also put on pop-up stands during the year at Rowdies games and at other events during childhood cancer awareness month.

Your 8th Annual Lemonade Stand Fundraiser for Childhood Cancer on June 1 (10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) in St. Petersburg is right around the corner! What should attendees know before they go?

Caroline: Our June event is not just a fundraiser but a party! We don’t charge for our lemonade but welcome donations. It’s kid-friendly and there will be food, giveaways and a celebration.

How does it make you feel when you do big check presentations that represent the amount of help you can give children with cancer?

Charlotte: We feel proud that our events can help kids battling cancer. We like that we are making a difference.

What do your friends think about the work that you do?

Caroline: My friends think that it’s super cool. Each year at my school, I go to all the classes and tell them about my childhood cancer diagnosis, my treatment and how we raise money for childhood cancer. Our friends come to the event to volunteer and support us.

What is something you want others to know about what you’re doing?

Caroline: Kids can make a difference in the world. You don’t have to be an adult to do great things. Everybody can do something.

What is something you have both learned in your experiences with the lemonade stand?

Caroline: Our community wants to help our cause and is very generous. We are so grateful for their support.

What are your favorite things to do in Tampa Bay when you aren’t leading your nonprofit efforts?

Charlotte: I love ice skating.

Caroline: I love gymnastics and volleyball. We also love going to Tampa Bay Rowdies games. The Rowdies have supported us from the start. We love traveling as a family too.

Event Details:

Caroline Gallagher’s C&C Lemonade Factory will host its 8th Annual Lemonade Stand to support childhood cancer. 100% of all donations will go to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

June 1, 2024
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
6312 Dartmouth Ave., St. Petersburg
https://www.facebook.com/events/754528496230933

Originally published in the May 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.