A nine-year-old's tribute to his late father is raking in cash for Victoria hospitals.
Nine-year-old Anders Yee set up a lemonade stand on Monday, Aug. 12 outside his Shelbourne Street home in Saanich. In just four hours, he had earned $782, every penny of which he donated to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) – a non-profit that works with Island Health to enable donations to the Gorge Road Health Centre and Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
This is the third of these stands that Anders has organized.
The Saanich boy began his philanthropic journey two years ago after his dad Kevin Yee died following a brain aneurysm. Anders decided that raising money for the Royal Jubilee Hospital – Kevin was treated there – and other institutions like it would be a great way to honour his dad.
Anders made $42 at his first stand. A few months later, he earned a whopping $1,000, which inspired $2,000 more in donations directly to the VHF.
“This lemonade stand is such a simple way to bring the community together to support our hospitals,” said VHF’s manager of philanthropy Colleen Bronson. “Forty per cent of the equipment at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital is funded by donors.”
This year, Anders, who his mom Susanna Yee described as an entrepreneur, offered regular and pink lemonade, vanilla bean and strawberry ice cream, freezies in every colour imaginable and fresh figs.
He also sold ice cubes made out of lemonade to ensure customers' drinks didn't get watery.
“He came up with that yesterday,” said Susanna. “It’s amazing some of the things that he creates.”
Susanna said that Anders' efforts have made a difficult situation easier to manage.
"We want to do something to celebrate instead of mourn," she said, adding that the nine-year-old possesses the same selfless qualities as her husband.
To donate to the VHF on Anders' behalf, visit www.victoriahf.ca/donatenow/.
