Brody Toy of West Leechburg is honoring his late great-grandfather one glass at a time.
Brody, 7, sells lemonade from Brody’s Lemonade Stand annually, donating 100% of the money raised to Alzheimer’s disease research and in remembrance of his great-granddad, Joseph Kish. Kish of Gilpin suffered from Alzheimer’s and died in 2015.
“I want to raise a billion dollars so that we can find a cure, and I won’t stop raising money,” Brody said.
Brody and some of his family members represent Joe’s Alzstarz team, participating annually in the Butler Walk 2 End Alzheimer’s.
Last year, Brody raised $625 from his lemonade sales, more than doubling his $300 goal.
On Saturday, Brody’s Lemonade Stand and StudeCaker’s mobile gourmet cupcake trailer combined to raise $1,300.
Brody proudly tells his customers that his homemade lemonade is “made with love.”
“This year, Brody wants to raise more and our goal is $800,” said Lisa Richards, Brody’s mom.
“The lemonade stand was Brody’s idea. He is always thinking of others and ways to help.”
Brody’s stand was in business Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and thirsty customers were lined up in support.
“Last year’s event was a huge success for Brody, and I like to see young kids getting involved,” Vandergrift resident and customer Patricia Stitt said. “My grandparents had Alzheimer’s, and it’s important to me to support this.”
Sprankle’s Markets in Leechburg provided the parking lot location for Brody’s stand.
“We look forward to opportunities to partner with our community, and Brody’s selflessness should be an inspiration to us all,” owner Doug Sprankle said.
Customers had a new lemonade to sample this year — purple berry — in addition to regular and pink lemonade and iced tea with lemon.
Brody won’t reveal his lemonade recipe secrets but did confess that social media site Pinterest was involved.
StudeCaker’s mobile gourmet cupcake trailer partnered with Brody and donated 50 cents from every cupcake sold.
“This little guy Brody has stole my heart,” said Amanda Dingey, owner of StudeCakers. “Anything that he wants to support, I am behind it 100%.”
When Brody isn’t raising money for Alzheimer’s research, the second-grader at David Leech Elementary School enjoys building with Legos, playing video games, drawing and helping his mom in the kitchen.
