Founded by Erin, Fourth & Gold officially became a 5013C non-profit organization in July 2022. Much of the team is lead by healthcare professionals that are on the frontlines of oncological practice, helping children and their families battle cancer everyday.
It’s a dreary Monday morning. There’s not a hint of sunshine in the sky, it’s warm, but feels damp. I’m sitting in my office, thinking about all of the goals I’m ready to accomplish for 2020 and realize in just two more days, a decade ends, a new year begins and a “new year, new me” phrase will encircle us for a month or two. For some, a new year means letting go of the pain and grief of what the past 365 days brought. For others, apprehension settles in and anxiety flares. A whole new year without someone you love?
At the start of 2019, I would never have imagined my heart and perspective would change the way it has. I would never have imagined that my soul would take on a new form of grief, one that I’ve only read about. But most surprisingly, I never would have imagined that 3 months into the new year, my career would temporarily feel like a prison.
They say that time heals all wounds, but I politely disagree. The further it gets from seeing their face, the harder it gets to remember their voice. I didn’t consciously choose to avoid the concept of a new year approaching and what it means, yet it found it’s way to me. The concept of “Happy New Year” can be emotional if you’ve lost a loved one this year. The world telling you to be happy when they don’t know the heartache you’re feeling, seems cruel.
The sun is now peaking out from behind the clouds. I’ve been sitting here for a while now, trying to conjugate the message I’m trying to portray. I get a little glance to my right and see a picture from 2019 and realize how lucky I am that I was able to live and be present in that moment. That although I didn’t know the heartache that was too come, I am so grateful that I had a person in my life that made saying goodbye so unbearable.
It’s not going to be easy, going into 2020 without someone from 2019. There are days I imagine that will seem unfair, how you could carry onto a new year and begin making new memories without your loved one. But, I also believe that it can be a privilege, being the one responsible to carry them into the new year. In 2020, it just looks different.
If you’re interested in hosting a stand or sponsoring our campaign, reach out to us using this contact form, and a team member will contact you directly.
***This is not our sign up form to receive a kit and host a stand!***
If you’re looking to host your own Lucy’s Lemonade Stand, filling out the form does not sign you up! Once we receive your form submission, we’ll communicate with you directly and send you a link to sign up for your stand.
1.) If you are looking to host a stand during our September campaign, stand sign ups will run June 1 through June 30th every year. We’ll ask for the date(s) you plan to host your stand in September, as well as your location, so we can help promote it and drive traffic your way. In August, we’ll send out stand kits. If you’re local to Jacksonville, we’ll host a meetup where you can pick up your kit in person.
2.) If you are looking to host a stand during our September campaign but missed our sign-up window – no worries! We order extra kits every year, so reach out to us and we will do our best to accommodate you as supplies last.
3.) If you are looking to host a stand outside of our September campaign, that is a possibility as well, depending on the amount of extra supplies remaining. Please reach out to us anytime and we will do our best to provide you with everything you need to host a stand any time of year!
Each host receives a kit designed to make your experience easy and impactful, along with a PDF guide containing everything needed to host a successful – and fun – lemonade stand. Your kit will be packed with lemonade mix, cups, straws, signage, and more. Our goal is to equip you with everything you need to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer research. All you need to do is set up, mix the lemonade, and help spread the word.
