TORONTO — Amanda Belzowski is only 11 years old, but she’s already an experienced fundraiser who knows how to get people to give to a worthwhile cause.
Amanda Belzowski serves up cold lemonade year after year. [CJN file photo]
And one fundraising event that’s dear to her heart is the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario’s annual Becel Heart&Stroke Ride for Heart.
This year, Amanda will hold her 11th annual lemonade stand on Sunday, May 31. Amanda’s stand has raised more than $100,000 for the cause to date. She’ll be joined by her brother, Joshua, 3, who will be fundraising too, with his own stand –the first annual cookie counter. Their goal this year is to double their fundraising total to $200,000.
You can find Amanda and Joshua from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 10 Brian Cliff Dr., off Lawrence Avenue East, west of Leslie Street, across from Edwards Gardens.
The money they raise will help fund life-saving heart and stroke research for children and adults.
Amanda has her own website dedicated to fundraising for the Ride for Heart, www.lemonade4heart.org, where you can find out how to sponsor her.
Amanda’s silent auctions at her lemonade stand always have something special to offer. This year, for the second time, famed magician David Copperfield has donated tickets to his show in Las Vegas. The highest bidders will get to meet him and tour his warehouse. The prize includes airfare and a suite at the MGM Grand Hotel.
Also up for auction will be a basketball signed by the Toronto Raptors and a hockey stick signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Argonauts are providing a luxury suite at a 2009 regular season game, along with a pre-game field tour at a regular season game and an autographed jersey from CEO Michael “Pinball” Clemons.
Two-time Olympic gold medal gymnast Lance Ringnald has contributed a number of Olympics-related items, and pointe shoes signed by a prima ballerina from the National Ballet of Canada will also be auctioned off.
Donald Trump has also donated an autographed copy of his new book, Think Like a Champion, for the auction.
Popular children’s performer Dan the Music Man will put on a show at noon. Life-size children’s cartoon character Dora the Explorer, donated by Daytime Enterprises, will be there to greet kids, and Bulldog Fitness will bring dance pads for aerobic workouts for kids. Lionel’s Pony Farm will also offer pony rides from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Amanda and her family will also join more than 13,000 other cyclists June 7 in this year’s Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart. Call416-486-RIDE (7433) or visit www.rideforheart.ca for details.
— Compiled by CJN Staff