When Life Gives You Lemons
In the spring of 2023, life handed Tipp City student Grayson one of its toughest lemons. The little boy with a booming personality was diagnosed with a rare disease and has since made countless trips to hospitals and doctors. However, Grayson doesn’t let the stress of the medical world get to him; instead, he fights his fight, and does so with many friends in his corner.
Some of Grayson's biggest supporters don't just put their brave faces and boxing gloves in the fight against Grayson’s disease, but their sashes and vests too. On Wednesday, July 17th, Tipp City Girl Scout troop #2087 geared up to tackle life’s lemons and make lemonade. Planted just outside of the Tipp City Public Library, in the relentless sun and summer heat, was a group of girls, friends, family, and customers, all in cheery spirits, in the name of Grayson. The Girl Scout troop joined forces with Grayson to sell lemonade pouches, cake pops, 3D-printed toys, and other trinkets. Each was bought with proceeds going directly to Grayson’s medical fund. In the two hours they were active, the stand was booming with laughter, smiles, and an unfading positive atmosphere.
Troop leader Serena Persky is friends with Grayson’s mom and formed the Idea for a lemonade stand with her friend Rachel Sutter. With Grayson in mind, and previous sales experience in the cookie department, Serena felt her girls were the perfect match for a fundraiser. However, Persky also felt that it was an important learning opportunity for her girls. Many think of Daisies when Girl Scouts come to mind. Kindergarten and first grade are when most girls spread their Girl Scout wings, but troop #2087 has come a long way from flower petal patches. Community service is an important part of what it means to be a Girl Scout. Therefore, as the girls transition from Brownies to Juniors, Serena feels it’s important that they lean into community-based issues and projects. She says, “I get to see these girls grow and evolve into these community-minded people.” Seeing as many of the girls go to school with Grayson and already know and love him as their friend, they were eager to help him in his fight against a rare disease.
Serena really appreciates the community support for Grayson and his family, and she wants to teach her girls to help in situations in any way they can. This, is a trait that Serena feels many of our youth have adapted. Persky says, “I think our young people, especially in Tipp City, are incredible and selfless.” Selfless being one of her own traits, Persky doesn’t want her girls, or people in general, to be afraid to help. Serena teaches troop #2087 to always do so. Even if they don't know how to help in a situation, the young troop leader and mom encourages the girls to lean in and try their best.
The Girl Scouts raised $562 in lemonade stand sales, but the Fight for Grayson isn't over. That being said, you don’t have to be a Brownie to help. If you’re looking to donate to Grayson and help him with medications, out-of-state doctors' visits, and adaptive medical equipment, you can do so by visiting https://www.guidinggrayson.com/donate. In the meantime, life’s lemons didn’t win this round. Instead, Grayson and his mighty group of Girl Scouts squeezed out smiles, laughter, and a successful afternoon.
