What started out as a little girl’s love of lemonade stands at her house has grown into a beloved community event. On Saturday, July 26th from 12-5, the 4th Annual Sophia the Fierce Lemonade Stand will take place at Main-Transit Fire Department outdoor pavilion in Williamsville bringing together families, friends, neighbors and pediatric cancer warriors for an afternoon of giving back.
The event began as the brainchild of Sophia the Fierce Inc. founder Sophia Benintende at just 8-years old, to raise money to give back to the local charities that supported her during her cancer battle. Her lemonade stand inspired her to start her own charity – and Sophia the Fierce Inc. was born in 2023.
Devastatingly, Sophia passed in May of that year at just 9-years-old.
The event, now carried on in her honor, has grown to draw over 500 attendees in 2024. This year boasts of pony rides, games, face painting, a bubble show, music, raffles – and of course lemonade. Connect Life will also be present collecting blood in Sophia’s honor. Entrance is free and all proceeds from sales go to benefit the mission of providing much needed custom respite retreats, fund research for a cure through studies at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Institute and provide mental and financial relief to local children and their caregivers as they battle cancer.
“It’s amazing to see how this event has grown, and to see how a simple cup of lemonade can impact the lives of kids fighting this horrific disease,” said JIllmarie Giardina, Executive Director and aunt to Sophia.
Sophia’s mother, Kristina Benintende added, “I never imagined her little lemonade stand would grow into such a big community event. I also never imagined that I would be doing this without her by my side. I know that she would want us to continue to give back to the community that helped and supported her during her own battle. Sophia was kind, generous, ambitious and loved a good time, and there is no better way to honor her.”
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