10/22/2026
Thanks to BScene for sharing our community's impact!
LemonAID Helped 350 Children and Young People Enjoy an Enriching Summer Across Grand Erie
- CFSGE Foundation celebrates community support and invites the community to carry that generosity into the holiday season
Submitted Media Release
A simple lemonade stand lead to swimming lessons, a week at camp or a day at an amusement park. This summer, community support for the Child and Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation’s LemonAID campaign helped 350 children and young people access summer enriching opportunities across Grand Erie.
The experiences included camps, skills development, sports, cultural enrichment and special outings. For children and young people connected to child welfare, the cost of registration and other essentials can put these opportunities out of reach. LemonAID helps remove those barriers, so kids can explore their interests, build friendships, and feel part of their communities.
“Helping 350 children and young people take part in summer enriching activities is a huge undertaking, and it happened because our community came together,” said Gabe Minor, Executive Director of CFSGE. “We’re grateful to every person who hosted a LemonAID stand or made a donation, and to the businesses, community partners and grant funders who supported the initiative. Every contribution helped open the door to experiences these children and young people will carry with them long after summer ends.”
As the CFSGE Foundation celebrates that milestone, preparations are already underway for the Season of Sharing Toy+ Drive. The annual winter campaign invites the community to help provide holiday gifts for more than 700 children and young people. October may seem early to think about holiday gifts, but coordinating an effort of this size takes months of planning to ensure gifts are ready in time for a December delivery. Residents, workplaces, and community groups can organize a toy drive or make a financial gift. Donations toward gift cards are especially helpful for young people aged 12 and older, giving them the chance to choose something meaningful for themselves. To learn more, visit cfsgefoundation.ca.
There is another easy way to help throughout the year. Through Currency for Kids, Libro Credit Union, FirstOntario Credit Union and Your Neighbourhood Credit Union now accept currency donations on the CFSGE Foundation’s behalf at 10 combined locations across Grand Erie. Foreign coins and bills, Canadian change and Canadian Tire Money can all be put to work supporting children and young people. The CFSGE Foundation thanks all three credit unions for making it easier for our community to support children, young people and families in their neighbourhoods. To find a Currency for Kids drop-off location near you, visit cfsgefoundation.ca/campaigns/currency-for-kids.
