Sandburg at the lemonade stand raises money for childhood cancer research

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Building sandcastles became a hobby for David Coyle when his son was born. A vacation to Ocean City resulted in many opportunities to build masterpieces in time for the tide to wash away.

Last year, Coyle’s nephew, 9-year-old Joseph Dickerson, asked if they could build a sandcastle inspired by the Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park. But this year, Coyle noted that the request was a little different.

“I said, ‘Hey, what do you want to build this year while you’re on vacation with the crew?’ and he’s like, ‘I want to build a lemonade stand,'” Coyle said.

That gave birth to an even better idea. Coyle decided to contact Alex’s Lemonade Stand and start a fundraiser around building her sandcastle. They have already raised more than $2,000 for childhood cancer research.

The Coyles invited the Adkins family of Haddon Township to join them on the beach. Trish Adkins was introduced to Alex’s Lemonade Stand when her daughter Lily was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 14 months old.

“When your child is diagnosed with cancer, they are lonely. You feel all alone, and then all of a sudden you look around and realize you’re not,” said Trish Adkins. “There are organizations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand and there are people like the Coyles who just want to help. And we can all help.”

16-year-old Lily, who is now cancer-free, had the opportunity to serve lemonade behind the sensational sculpture on 12th Street’s beach.

“I’m pretty lucky to be here, but I also know that other people put in the work just to do it for kids like me,” she said. “And it makes me really happy.”

To learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, visit their website.