Annual Lemonade Day Raises Funds for Boys & Girls Club of West Alabama

Dozens of children were in downtown Tuscaloosa Friday, braving rain and sweltering heat to practice their entrepreneurial skills and sell cups of lemonade to raise money for a local nonprofit.

Ashley Cornelius, the Director of Resource Development & Marketing for the Boys & Girls Club of West Alabama, said the annual Lemonade Day event is a critical fundraiser for helping their operation serve as many children as possible.

Even as their Alberta clubhouse undergoes a multi-phase major renovation, Cornelius said programs are still running for area kids and Friday's lemonade sales will be a booster for them.

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"This is about programming and services," she said. "We go through so many disposable items, as you would expect in any summer after-school program. Supplies, snacks, paper plates, all of that. Those operating expenses are not typically covered by grants, so this general funding raised is going to support those unmet needs of our clubs."

Cornelius said the mission of BGCWA is to provide a safe environment for kids outside of school for a number of positive missions.

"We want to support the kids who need us most in the community through after school and and summer programs," she said. "We hit an array of areas including academic support. We try to eliminate as many barriers as possible - it's low cost. We provide transportation to as many schools as we possibly can to make sure that every kid that wants to be a club kid is able to. The programming is national, evidence-based programs through Boys and Girls Clubs of America. They do a lot. It's not just play time. They focus on building leadership skills, character development, workforce readiness, mental and emotional wellness and more."

This main event sponsors was Cadence Bank, backed by the city of Tuscaloosa and the Prince Glover Hayes law firm.

Thanks to all who participated and came out to support the Club Friday!