West Leechburg boy raises thousands — again — for Alzheimer's research
He’s a pint-sized fundraiser with a sweet goal.
Every year, Brody Toy, 10, of West Leechburg operates a tricked-out lemonade stand to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research.
A fifth-grader at David Leech Elementary, Brody has raised more than $16,000 since starting his fundraiser in 2016.
“I’m just a boy with a lemonade stand and a dream of a world without Alzheimer’s,” Brody said.
Brody is honoring his late great-grandfather, Joseph Kish, of Gilpin. Kish suffered from Alzheimer’s and died in 2015.
“I miss my great-grandfather a lot. I hope this can help anyone else that has this horrible disease,” Brody said.
This year, Brody set a goal of $8,000.
“He raises more money each year. His first lemonade stand raised about $300. Last year, he raised about $7,000,” said Brody’s mom, Lisa Richards.
All proceeds go to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team, Joe’s Alzstarz, a team with the Butler Walk 2 End Alzheimer’s.
Brody’s stand was bustling Saturday under sunny skies from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Colwell’s Xpress Lube located on South Leechburg Hill Road in Allegheny Township.
The change of venue, moved from the parking lot of Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Leechburg, was necessary because of safety concerns.
“The lines were getting so long we had people in the parking lot and it was a safety issue,” Richards said. “Colwell’s is larger and closed off. And we’re bigger this year with food trucks, too.”
Brody and family members hustled to fill lemonade orders.
“My lemonade stand is like a garden that’s always watered because it keeps getting bigger and growing every year,” Brody said. “I’m very happy to see many good people this world has, for generously donating.”
Nathaniel Sofranko, a manager with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pittsburgh, was on hand. He said attending was a priority.
“It continues to grow year after year. He’s dedicated and is the driving force behind it all. He’s hands on,” Sofranko said of Brody’s efforts. “He’s a rock star.”
Brody is a mix-master of lemonade, and this year he created a new flavor: red raspberry limeade.
Other flavors offered included regular lemonade, lemonade with a patriotic frozen Popsicle, strawberry, watermelon, and purple berry.
“My lemonade recipes are top secret,” he said.
Richards described her son’s dedication to fundraising as a “calling.”
“I know he’s going to do even bigger things in the future and I’m so glad that I get to watch, and help when needed, do so,” Richards said. “I could not be any more proud.”
Participating food trucks included Studecaker’s mobile gourmet cupcakes, Wok on Wheels, and The Hot Dog Guys.
Vendors donated 20% of sales to Brody’s Lemonade.
Leechburg resident Lindsay Fiore attended with her 5-year-old son, also named Brody.
Fiore enjoyed a glass of watermelon lemonade and Brody ordered cotton candy with a gummy worm.
“It’s such an awesome thing he does. Brody is a good example for other children,” Fiore said of Toy’s charitable initiative.
Jessica Lieu, owner of Wok on Wheels from Vandergrift, decided to participate for the first time because she grew up with Brody’s mother. She had heard about the fundraiser and has watched it get bigger every year.
“It’s a really good thing what he does,” Lieu said. “People are really enjoying it. He just does an amazing job for Alzheimer’s.”
Ryan Beatty of Bethel Township brought his 305 Sprint Car, which was on display for folks to explore.
Studecaker’s mobile gourmet cupcake trailer owner Amanda Dingey baked 720 cupcakes for Saturday.
She expected to sell out, donating 50 cents from every cupcake sold.
“He’s going to go places because he has a heart of gold,” Dingey said. “He just has this mindset and is very goal-driven.”
Richards said her son’s great-grandfather would be thrilled with Brody’s endeavours.
“He would be so proud,” Richards said, “and he would be stuffing his face because he loved sweets.”
Brody is the youngest member on the Walk to End Alzheimer’s committee based in Butler.
“He’s getting his feet wet,” Richards said. “He’s learning the ropes of how the actual event happens. He puts his two-cents in when he can.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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