Two brothers from Massapequa have teamed up once again to benefit local first responders using the most basic of tools: a children’s lemonade stand.
The sons of an NYPD Sergeant, Sean and Kyle Griffin, ages 6 and 4, hosted their second annual lemonade stand fundraiser for the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children Benefit Fund, also known as Answer the Call, on Aug. 3. The charity provides financial support to families of the NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD killed in the line of duty. The boys set up shop at their grandparents’ home in Massapequa and sold snacks, raffles to Mets tickets, and ice-cold lemonade.
“These first responders leave their homes every day and no one realizes how they put their lives on the line,” says their mom, Debi Griffin. “The sacrifices that they make help keep us safe.”
According to Debi, Sean himself came up with the idea for a lemonade fundraiser. He was inspired by his father Sgt. Matthew Griffin, and wanted to help the people and families of those he looked up to most. This time last year, he put on his NYPD uniform and sold glasses of lemonade with his brother, Kyle, who donned the uniform of the FDNY. They raised $7,000.
This year, the boys teamed up again with Answer the Call and aimed to raise $10,000. Both Sean and Kyle were determined to hit their goal and collected donations, prepared raffle tickets, and doled out their signature lemonade with the help of their dad. With funds from the stand and their Facebook fundraiser combined, the family has collected nearly $9,000. They are still accepting donations online. But for Debi, she says she is most proud of her boys for wanting to help in the first place.
“It warms my heart and makes me very proud,” she says.
If you would like to donate to Answer the Call via Sean & Kyle’s Lemonade Stand, go to facebook.com/donate/
