This summer, students and families at Rodeph Sholom School came together for a special cause. Toward the end of the last school year, parents and students began running bake sales and lemonade stands to raise money in support of Eli Morrison, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer. Eli’s family is a part of the amazing Little Warrior Foundation, which focuses specifically on Pediatric Ewing’s Sarcoma. Money raised from the Rodeph Sholom School families’ efforts will directly fund the organization’s projects and research and spread awareness of the disease.
The families set up stands on the Upper West Side, in Connecticut, and beyond! Some stands were able to raise over $1,000 in sales in a single day, all thanks to the passion of the children and parents. One stranger took a flier from a stand then returned and matched the $500 raised that day because he “was moved by the kids’ effort to help a friend.” Families sold lemonade, cookies, brownies, and more to local passers by. In the hot summer months, who could resist a cold cup of lemonade while also doing a mitzvah?
Many people were moved by the students’ continuous efforts to raise awareness. Council Member Gale Brewer learned about the stands and posted this to her social media in acknowledgment:
We are sending our prayers and love to the Morrison family and are grateful to share his amazing story. The camaraderie among Rodeph Sholom School families is what makes this community so special. To donate to Little Warrior, please click the link.