A sweet cause: 7-year-old sets up lemonade stand honouring Glace Bay, N.S. teen who died of cancer
A little girl in Glace Bay, N.S. set up a lemonade stand Sunday for a really sweet cause.
The proceeds are going to the 'Leigh-Anne's Legacy' movement in memory of a Cape Breton teen who died of cancer.
Leigh-Anne Cox was a spunky and courageous Glace Bay teen who lost her battle with cancer in June of last year. She was just 14-years-old.
Cox inspired her community while fighting the disease and after she passed away, her family created the 'Bee Kind' Leigh-Anne's Legacy movement asking people to perform acts of kindness in her memory.
On Sunday, seven-year-old Jersey Matheson set up a lemonade stand that was built using her own birthday money.
Jersey's mother said her daughter didn't know Leigh-Anne personally, though, she has fundraised in the past and wanted to contribute again this time around.
"Most of the money is going to the SPCA, and however much we make, we'll find another cause close to Leigh-Anne's heart," says Danielle Matheson.
"A few years ago, Jersey started at Christmas time with what are called Jersey's Christmas cups, and she delivers them just to make people smile at Christmas time. We just thought we thought we would incorporate Leigh-Anne in there, just because everyone knows her in her community, and we just wanted to keep spreading her name."
More than a dozen of Leigh-Anne's family and close friends were on hand today to grab a drink and show their appreciation.
"Jersey is an awesome spearheader for us, we're very proud of her…," said family friend Tammy Baxter.
"It just warms our hearts so much to see a little girl that Leigh-Anne was able to touch at such a young age. So if this little girl can do such an act of kindness, each one of us can do something wonderful."
The parking lot at Ultramar on Sterling Road was full all day with community members from all walks of life wetting their whistles, and opening their wallets.
"From the police officers showing up today to the fire department to just all of the friends, family, and strangers that stopped by - just to support," said Baxter.
Along with two hours spent serving people with a smile today, Jersey's mom says her daughter is learning life lessons beyond her years.
"Just be kind. You never know what somebody's going through. The littlest, simplest thing can bring a smile to somebody's face, and that's what she's out to do," said Matheson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.