I would like to share with details of a fundraiser hosted by my sons Arjun Khanna (10) and Rohan Khanna (7) along with their friends Pranay Vittal (14) and Nate Kempel (11).
The boys hosted their 5th annual lemonade stand fundraiser to benefit the Alex’s Childhood Cancer Research foundation on Aug. 25 in front of our house on Haskel Drive in West Windsor.
Over the last 4 years, thanks to overwhelming support from the community, family and friends, the West Windsor Police Department, mayors and other community leaders, the boys raised a total of $3,000.
This year was an exceptional year, and the boys raised $1,690 for the foundation, bringing the total funds raised over 5 years to almost $4,700.
Every year, the boys work tirelessly to spread the word for the fundraiser, prepare street signs and flyers for the event, and donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the foundation. They offer lemonade, cookies and brownies at the stand, which are all free.
Since the first fundraiser in 2014, the boys have received tremendous support from police Chief Robert Garofalo and Lt. Mark Lee who visit the lemonade stand every year and the police cruisers with their flashing lights always tend to draw the crowds. The boys are also grateful to the WWPD for spreading word of the fundraiser to their social media followers. While in office, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh also visited the lemonade stand to support the boys as have other council members.
This year, the boys couldn’t have been happier as they saw the WWPD K-9 cruiser pull up in front of their lemonade stand. Officer Douglas Montgomery was accompanied by K-9s Cherno and Mackey, who ended up stealing the show.
Chief Garofalo and Lt. Lee were also accompanied by Officer Alfonso Robles. The boys were also honored by Mayor Hemant Marathe and councilwoman Alison Miller, Jyotika Bahree and Virginia Manzari visiting their fundraiser.
As the fundraiser was wrapping up, the boys got another surprise for the day. They were overwhelmed with excitement as they saw a fire truck pull up in front of our house to support the fundraiser.
The boys couldn’t be more grateful to the volunteers of West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 for visiting and supporting their fundraiser.
Overall, the boys are very proud, grateful and encouraged by the overwhelming support and generosity of their donors. In fact, they are already talking about the next year’s lemonade stand and how to make it even bigger.
Sumit Khanna
West Windsor
