Andrew (9) & Ava (5) & Friends was formed in 2021 after visiting the Julia Degnan lemonade stand in Dracut. Andrew, who was 6 at that time, was so inspired by Julia that he asked to do his own stand to help her raise money for children in need. Their first year (2021) Andrew & Ava & Friends raised $2,962 and donated 100% of their earnings to The Julia Degnan Fundraiser. Julia combined the earnings
from A&A&F along with her own earnings and purchased thousands of dollars in toys to be donated to Lawrence General Hospital Pediatric Department. She's a remarkable young lady and A&A&F are proud to call her our friend. In year two (2022) A&A&F raised $2,987 with the help of some of their friends. The kids donated $1,000 to Jimmy Fund Walk / Dana Farber Cancer Research in Honor of Riley Cruz, $1,000 to The Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County / Pelham Police "Beards for Bucks" (Thanks to Sgt. Matt Keenliside), and the balance of $987 was used to purchase food and household items for the Pelham Food Pantry. The kids did all the shopping, loading, unloading, and stocking of shelves at the food pantry. In 2023 A&A&F raised a total of $6,896! They donated the following amounts to the following organizations: $902 to the Pelham Police Relief Assoc., $1,000 to the Pelham Food Pantry, a $3,000 custom friendship bench to the Pelham Elementary School, $1,000 to the Tilton NH Veterans Home, $250 for Veteran grave markers for Gibson Cemetery - Pelham NH, $400 in collars, leashes, and dog toys to the Animal Rescue Network of New England, $344 TBD. Their mission statement is to have fun spreading kindness and compassion while making a difference in their community one cup of "lemon-aid" at a time!
