Lemonade for Life has been something that we have dreamed about for years and the predestination started many years ago when my wife and I were dating. We were driving through a neighborhood on a hot summer day and I drove right past a lemonade stand. Immediately Kasie said, “You can never just ride past a lemonade stand! Turn around and I’ll show you why.” I turned the car around and pulled up to the lemonade stand and the smiles and joy that I saw on the faces of the kids was something that has always stuck with me. The excitement and sense of accomplishment we could hear in their voices as we pulled away is something that has continued to pull at our heartstrings. From that day forward we stop at every lemonade stand we see.
During the years of our marriage we have been blessed and are always looking for ways to give back. After years of attending charity events and being a part of the mission of others, we grew a strong passion to have our own charity. We talked about children being the focus of our charity and that immediately drew us back to the simple childhood joy in a lemonade stand. From there we found the same passion to make a difference in our good friends the Gladieux’s as their son Zach had just been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Together we hope to do great things through helping those affected by the needs closest to our hearts.
December 19th, 2014…
This is the date that our son Zach received his Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. Alexis and I were devastated and shocked as we sat in Kosair’s Children’s Hospital with him that fateful day. Those three days truly felt like the worst time of our lives. We can now reflect on that date feeling empowered. The diagnosis left us with so much motivation and energy to make a difference in the Type 1 Diabetes community.
As it is often said “timing in life is everything”. Brent and Kasie’s vision was growing clearer and it collided perfectly with our new found passion. December 19th, 2014…the framework for Lemonade For Life was laid.
From both of our families, we want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement to grow Lemonade for Life. We believe that together we can make a difference and offer support and hope to families and children who’s lives have been forever changed by their diagnosis.
-The Etscorn & Gladieux Families.