OUTLOOK — A group of young kids from Outlook put their best feet forward and dedicated themselves to raising money for a worthy cause on Sept. 21.
Benny and Harlow Grunerud were joined by friends Thea and Easton Halonen, and the group of budding entrepreneurs came together to sell popcorn goodies and cold lemonade just outside the Riverbend Co-op grocery store.
Supporting efforts in combating childhood cancer, the day turned out to be a perfect opportunity to set up such a refreshment stand. With temperatures soaring to 30 C, the kids were kept busy selling cold drinks and savoury snacks.
Benny and Thea are two of the community's fighting champions in their own battles with cancer over the last few years. Grunerud was diagnosed in February 2021 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Halonen was three years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that begins in early nerve cells and forms in certain types of nerve tissue.
Today, both kids are healthy and eager to do their part in supporting efforts to raise both money and awareness for childhood cancer.
Benny and Harlow's mother Miranda was proud to watch both her children and the Halonen kids out in the public doing their part. As the family begins to count sales and donations, she was happy to see the four put others before themselves.
"They could have been at home playing, on an adventure, or hanging out with friends, but instead they were spending their time collecting money for others," she said. "We have yet to add up what they brought in from today's sales and donations. I am eager to do this and share with them the total."
She also thanked those who helped make the day happen, including Riverbend Co-op, Gary and Nadine Ivanco of Happy Days Mobile Snacks, and Annalise Halonen for helping with setup and creating the eye-catching balloon decorations.
"Thank you everyone that stopped by, bought some popcorn and/or lemonade, and donated money to this fundraiser," said Miranda. "We appreciate it more than you know. It means so much to us to give back and do something to try to help kids just like Benny and Thea and so many we have met along the way through our kids' cancer journeys. It is very heartwarming to have so much support from our community. I am grateful."
