The idea was inspired by Sydney's brave and successful battle against childhood cancer and wanting to continue to help create an impact to a cause that had had a direct effect. So, upon becoming official freshmen, the group created The Golden Canes and began their efforts.
The initiative began by turning lemons into lemonade, quite literally. At home football games on Friday nights, the group set up their own Alex's Lemonade Stand - a Foundation that had supported Sydney during her battle - and sold both regular and pink lemonade.
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At the time, Sean was in his first season with the P.A.L. Junior Islanders and balancing between playing club and high school hockey, which occupied his schedule for every day of the week except for Fridays, but this was a cause that he and his friends were extremely passionate about.
"Sean's father and I are so unbelievably and overwhelmingly proud of him and his friends," Sean's mother, Noelle said. "He's always been really caring and philanthropic for his age I think after tagging along to a lot of things that I have volunteered for over the years...But for a group of teens to come together and spend their free time giving back is really amazing."
As the Golden Canes set up their first Alex's Lemonade Stand under the Friday night lights, selling lemonade for $1 and braclets for $2. They were astonished by the generous support from their fellow classmates and community, raising $700 on their first night.
"They came into it with a goal to reach $1,000 by the end of the season," Mrs. Bass said. "They surpassed that goal by week 2. It was unbelievable the support and generous tips they got. The line would be so long and other students would even walk up and say, 'What do you need? How can we help?' It was just really touching to see."
As football season came to a close, the Golden Canes conceptualized alternative ways to continue generating funds. With the holiday season approaching, they helped coordinate a letter writing campaign in alliance with Macy's annual tradition of donating $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for every letter written and sent in. The group even extended the initiative to the elementary school they had attended to try and maximize the outreach.
With the second semester underway, the group was hopeful in continuing their efforts, until their initiative was halted at the hands of the international COVID-19 outbreak.
"Obviously, it was really unfortunate that COVID happened because they still were planning on finishing out the school year with a few more activities," Mrs. Bass said. "We're still trying to come up with ways now for the upcoming school year to keep going with the support]. Of course, by socially distancing and thinking of safe and responsible ways to get their school and community involved."
To learn more about the
[The Golden Canes you can follow their journey on Instagram.Â
Nominated by Islanders Alumnus Steve Webb's Team Up 4 Community Program www.TeamUp4Community.org
