Grassroots campaign returns with provincewide momentum
Bright yellow balloons have become a familiar sight on Winnipeg streets and in communities across Manitoba this weekend, marking neighbourhood lemonade stands serving a purpose beyond quenching thirst. As part of the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation’s Lemonade Stands for Hope campaign, families have set up more than 300 stands this summer to raise money for local cancer research and patient support.
In St. Vital, two sisters — nine-year-old Myla and seven-year-old Elsie — spent Saturday greeting neighbours and pouring lemonade at their first stand. Their mother, Monica de Leon, said the simple idea was a good fit for a hot July day and a cause close to many Manitobans.
“It’s summertime, and we thought, why not take advantage of the hot weather and do something good for CancerCare?”
She added that a friend’s positive experience prompted the family to join in this year using one of the campaign’s free donation kits.
From pause to growth
According to the Foundation, the campaign launched in 2019, paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed in 2023. Organizers say participation has climbed notably since its return, drawing in residents from towns and cities across the province.
Laura Curtis, the Foundation’s director of marketing and communications, described the effort as widely accessible and community-driven.
“It’s just such a nice grassroots fundraising initiative,”
she said, noting that many of the people who host or visit stands have a personal connection to cancer.
“There are so many different people from communities across Manitoba taking part, and most of them have been impacted by cancer.”
How the stands work — and why they resonate
The format is straightforward: families and community groups set up a table, serve lemonade, and collect voluntary donations for the Foundation’s work supporting care and research in Manitoba. Organizers say the visibility — from yellow balloons on lawns to hand-drawn signs — helps neighbours spot a stand and stop by.
- Simple to host: tables, cups and a pitcher are often all that’s needed.
- Community based: stands pop up on front lawns, driveways and local gathering spots.
- Local impact: funds support CancerCare Manitoba research and patient programs within the province.
Participants say the appeal lies in giving families, especially children, a hands-on way to contribute. For newcomers to the campaign, the donation kits can help with signage and guidance on funnelling contributions to the Foundation.
Campaign at a glance
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Campaign launches |
| 2020–2022 | Paused during the pandemic |
| 2023 | Campaign returns |
| 2026 | More than 300 stands across Manitoba |
While the campaign’s total dollars raised this summer were not provided in the material reviewed, the Foundation emphasizes that every stand, no matter its size, contributes to sustaining programs and research delivered in Manitoba.
Neighbourhood spirit meets provincial need
The sight of families standing curbside with pitchers underscores how small-scale efforts can add up. For Manitobans navigating a cancer diagnosis, the Foundation’s work supports services and research that remain close to home. For those pouring lemonade, it is a chance to connect with neighbours and take part in a shared cause.
Residents can watch for the hallmark yellow balloons that often signal a stand nearby and consider making a stop if they see one operating on their block this weekend or later this summer.
