Lemonade stand stands for a cause in Lake Wylie

Melody Hoy gathered her stepchildren and neighbors to open a roadside lemonade stand in River Hills.

For two weekends, sips of lemonade and bites of home-baked sweets helped raise money for pancreatic cancer.

Krystal Ewing, 44, married to Hoy’s brother Russell, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2014.

They raised almost $250 Labor Day weekend.

“The goal is to raise $5,000, so Krystal’s husband will wear a purple tutu,” Hoy said.

Hoy’s stepchildren, Elle Marshall and Aidan Marshall have been setting up lemonade stands for a few summers to get out of the house.

“They made so much money from it, so I thought ‘you need to start doing it for causes,’” Hoy said.

The children also have raised money for Humane Society and Live to Give.

“It’s more fun when you do it for a cause,” said Elle Marshall, 9.

“I like helping out other people,” said Aidan Marshall, age 12.

Elle and Aidan, and neighbor Tommy Bontampo, 10, stood at the side of Hamilton’s Ferry Road holding signs to get people to stop and donate money.

“We are taking donations and help yourself to a treat,” Hoy said.

Ewing’s most recent scan showed no regrowth or new spots. She will walk with her group, Krystals Crazy Crew, for Purple Stride 5K Sept. 12 through uptown Charlotte. About 20,000 are expected at the walk.

To join or donate, visit go to kintera.org or http://tinyurl.com/oycwyhq.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 3:54 PM with the headline "Lemonade stand stands for a cause in Lake Wylie."