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The kindness of the people of Saskatoon was shining bright this week, as community members rallied to support 7-year-old Maddy Vanden Dungen.
Maddy had her lemonade stand robbed in the city on Monday.
NEW: Two boys arrested after juice, money and candy were stolen from a 7-year-old girl’s lemonade stand in #Saskatoon. @CKOMNews @CJMENews #YXE pic.twitter.com/oVjMk4yRR0
— Alex Brown (@AlexBrownYXE) July 23, 2024
While most people go to a baseball game for the crack of the bat, or the smack of the catchers mitt after a pitch is delivered, but as the Saskatoon Berries took the field Thursday evening, it was Maddy who stole the show.
Maddy had her lemonade stand open on the plaza for all to enjoy, with thirsty fans lined up as far as the eye could see to try some of Maddy’s lemonade.
People are lining up at Maddy’s lemonade stand at tonight’s @StoonBerries game. @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/IAfb8LMFZE
— Will Mandzuk (@WMandzuk) July 26, 2024
The stand opened at 6 p.m. and Maddy said she was very busy in the first hour.
“Probably over 100 people,” Maddy said.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was also started for Maddy and the total amount of money donated has skyrocketed — the figure stood at more than $11,000 on Friday night.
Maddy explained she isn’t planning on buying anything with the money.
“I am going to invest it,” said Maddy.
Seven-year-old Maddy’s lemonade was popular at the Saskatoon Berries game on Thursday. (Will Mandzuk/650CKOM)
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The Berries fun didn’t stop there as Maddy was also to throw out the first pitch.
Tyler Wawryk, vice president team business operations with Sask Entertainment Group, said when the team heard about Maddy’s story the Berries knew they had to do something.
“It’s a very unique story, kind of a gut wrenching and heartbreaking story,” said Wawryk. “Conversations sparked right away about what we could do, and that evolved into getting her out to one of our games.”
Wawryk said when the family heard about the offer they were really excited.
The Berries also provided Maddy with lemonade, ice, cups and a tent for the night.
“We supplied everything … a few of our staff members have volunteered to help pour and serve,” said Wawryk before the game.
“We knew it was going to be a big crowd so we tried to make sure we had enough supplies for about 2000 cups of lemonade.”
Rawlco Radio staff host Maddy
The Berries game wasn’t the only exciting activity for Maddy this week.
Maddy’s mother had earlier told 650CKOM that Maddy just needed to know “people are good again,” and that she loves having her all her friends to the house and spending time with family.
So the staff at Rawlco Radio in Saskatoon invited Maddy and her family for a tour of Broadcast House.
Sheri, Rock 102 Morning Show host showed the group around the building before surprising Maddy with a special gift reflecting her interests.
Maddy received a 2-in-1 water park and bounce house combo from C95, Rock 102 and 650 CKOM, as well as a family pack of seven Saskatoon EX Superpasses.
With files from CKOM news
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