Boy runs lemonade stand to help friend with cancer

APOPKA, Fla. (WOFL FOX35) - This is a story about a plan to sell lemonade that led to much more.  

It begins with 8-year-old Christian asking his mom if he could start a lemonade stand to help one of his friends who’s battling cancer. 

“We’re just hoping that we can raise a lot of money for his medical bills,” Christian explained. 

“I’m very proud of him for wanting to do that,” Dawn Redmon, Christian’s mom said. 

Redmon put her son’s idea into motion and decided to call Home Depot in Apopka to see if she could get a discount on some of the supplies she needed to make the stand. 

Store manager Loni Evans was on the other end of the line. 

“She gave us her background story and told us what they were doing it for and we felt we wanted to do more than just give supplies,” Evans said. 

The employees at Home Depot went on to build and paint the entire lemonade stand for free.  When Redmon walked in to pick up what she thought would be supplies – she laid eyes on the final product. 

“I was crying,” she said. “I’ve cried several times over all this. It’s very touching. It’s very sweet that people are going out of their way to help like this.” 

“They did an amazing job! Better than I could even picture,” Christian said. 

The Cipollone family was also surprised by what happened. The money made at the lemonade stand will be going to their 4-year-old son Silas, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. The three stopped by Home Depot to see the lemonade stand for the first time Thursday. 

Silas’ mom says recent social media traction over what happened has led to other businesses offering to pitch in during a benefit for Silas set for September 1.  

“The lemonade stand has just put things in motion and I couldn’t be anymore happy because it’s a lot, it’s very overwhelming. So, we are very grateful for everything,” Courtney Cipollone said. 

Friends and strangers are coming together to help the little boy and a family.  And remember, it all started with a simple plan to sell lemonade. 

Silas’ Benefit on Saturday, Sept. 1 will be held at Tractor Supply Co. at 131 W. 2nd St. in Apopka. Along with the lemonade stand, they will have a car wash, bake sale and silent auction.