Kids to support Make-A-Wish Idaho, honor loved one Saturday during Lemonade Day
McKenzie McMurray and Jaxon Lupton will sell lemonade Saturday at 4045 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Idaho and honor the memory of Jaxon's sister and McKenzie's best friend Jaicey Lupton, who passed away last year. Their stand will be one of many throughout Kootenai County in celebration of Lemonade Day.
Courtesy photo
Lemonade stands will be out in force Saturday for Lemonade Day, a national event during which several Kootenai County youngsters will explore entrepreneurship and develop leadership skills.
Two local little ones will also make a foray into the world of philanthropy while celebrating the memory of a sister and friend gone too soon.
McKenzie McMurray, 9, and Jaxon Lupton, 5, will dedicate a portion of J & K Lemonade sales to Make-A-Wish Idaho in honor of Jaxon's sister, Jaicey Lupton, who was 8 when she died from an undiagnosed terminal illness Sept. 1, 2023.
"She misses Jaicey," said McKenzie's mom, Jessica McMurray, on Wednesday. "She knows this would make Jaicey happy."
"I'm excited," McKenzie said.
The McMurray and Lupton families became friends when the McMurrays moved to North Idaho from Arizona in 2022.
"McKenzie was friends with Jaicey," McMurray said. "They went to the same school."
She said McKenzie was always excited when she got to spend time with Jaicey during the school day.
"They really formed a really close bond and became little best friends," McMurray said.
Jaicey was a Make-A-Wish kid early in her life after a lump was found in her arm and she began to experience aneurysms throughout her body. Her dream was for a unicorn-themed bedroom, a slide bed and a place for her to do her art projects. Five years ago, Make-A-Wish volunteers transformed her bedroom into a colorful unicorn paradise.
"We’re always so happy when wish families decide to pay it forward through an event like this," said Michelle John, regional manager for Make-A-Wish Idaho. "It really makes the wishes extra special."
Make-A-Wish Idaho is a nonprofit that makes dreams come true for children with critical and life-limiting conditions. Wishes can range from pool parties and bedroom makeovers to Disney trips and superhero adventures.
McKenzie and Jaxon's stand will be decked out in Make-A-Wish decorations and photos of Jaicey. J & K Lemonade will be in the Nosworthy's Hall of Fame parking lot at 4045 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.
According to lemonadeday.org, Lemonade Day stands will be active throughout Kootenai County at the following locations:
• Beach Lemonade: McEuen Park, East Front Avenue, Coeur d'Alene
• Pink Lemons: Bancroft Avenue, Coeur d'Alene
• 50/50 Lemonade Stand: Dalton Avenue and North Harcourt Drive, Coeur d'Alene
• Advanced: 1578 Riverstone Drive, Coeur d'Alene
• J & K Lemonade: 4045 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene
• Lemon Squeezy: 6071 N. Courcelles Parkway, Coeur d Alene
• Lil' Lemon Drops: 1927 W. Riverstone Drive, Coeur d'Alene
• London and Eliza's Lemonade: 2082 E. Greenleaf Lane, Coeur d'Alene
• Pink Lemonade Stand - Sip the Summer: 802 E. Bancroft Ave., Coeur d'Alene
• The Super Lemonade Stand: West Manning Loop/North Talon Lane, Coeur d’Alene