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The heartbreaking motivation behind girls' lemonade stand

The lemonade stand is a classic way for young kids to raise a bit of pocket money, but for two young girls from Buffalo, New York, their reason for starting one is very different.

Lily-Anna and Leeana Liz Cruz have started a lemonade stand to help pay for their grandmother’s funeral costs.

Blanca Torres died at the Buffalo General Hospital on Sunday, leaving behind nine children and 28 grandchildren.

A lemonade stand was launched to raise money for a family funeral. Source: WIBV4
A lemonade stand was launched to raise money for a family funeral. Source: WIBV4

Whilst she suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for years, her deterioration and death came as a shock to her family, who cannot afford a proper funeral for her.

Lily-Anna and Leeana decided to launch a local lemonade stand to help out, with some generous neighbours offering up to $25 to the cause for a single cup of lemonade, WIBV4 reports.

Torres’ daughter Iris Maldonado told WIVB4 that her mother “was afraid to die” and didn’t want to think about a funeral, “so she didn’t have a savings account”.

Her death comes just a year after the two girls also lost their grandfather.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to raise funds for the funeral.

Blanca, centre, suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Source: GoFundMe
Blanca, centre, suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Source: GoFundMe

“Last night my wife’s mother Blanca Torres unexpectedly passed away,” the campaign reads.

“She was an amazing mother of 9 children and 28 grand children.

“She was always very bright and full of spirit.

“All donations will go towards her funeral services. Thank you for everyone’s support through this difficult time.”

Blanca Torres died at the Buffalo General Hospital on Sunday, leaving behind nine children and 28 grandchildren. Source: GoFundMe
Blanca Torres died at the Buffalo General Hospital on Sunday, leaving behind nine children and 28 grandchildren. Source: GoFundMe