A teddy bear helped Payton Obert through a difficult time when she was a young child. The gift came from a charity that works with children’s hospitals, and she kept the bear close afterward. When she was eight, she decided to offer similar support to other children. In 2018, her first lemonade stand raised $768, which she used to buy toys for children in hospitals.
With support from her community, the project grew into a charity that helps children and families facing hardship. Over eight years, it has provided gifts and necessary items worth $5 million. Its work now includes food, clothing, books, and school supplies, as well as toys. Children’s lemonade stands are part of its annual July fundraising event.
In 2025, young people ran 100 stands across Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Together, they raised $150,000 in only three hours. Some stands became lemonade fairs. The 2026 event raised $170,000, with stands also opening in West Virginia, Baltimore, and New Mexico.
