It’s been over three years since the Carden girls, Grace, now 11, and Isabelle, now 9, asked their parents if they could have a lemonade stand. Parents, Tanya and Sean resisted, but the girls kept asking, as young children often do, and a compromise was made.
Izzy and Grace could have a lemonade stand in their complex, but only if the money went towards a charitable cause. Mom, Tanya Blizzard-Carden, had already signed up for the Burlington Terry Fox Run, so it was settled that that would be their cause of choice.
Armed with markers, the girls made signs and the family whipped up some lemonade and a few baked goods to sell. The event was such a success that they decided to make it an annual fundraiser.
Upping their game (with a little help and support)
Due to the popularity of the baked goods, Tanya had to expand their menu. Several family members got involved to bake. Last year they even added gluten-free options to make it more inclusive. Everything sold!
As you can imagine, when a simple lemonade stand expands beyond one’s expectations, and you’re donating all the money to charity, it gets expensive. Sean and Tanya recognized that they needed some help. Isabelle and Grace approached the local No Frills and the owner was happy to supply them with the ingredients they needed to bake and make lemonade and iced tea.
The family also got a lot of support from Burlington Dads, a community group of local dads that Sean Carden is a member of. Many of the Burlington Dads showed up from all across the city and donated 10, 20, 50 even a 100 dollars to the cause after Sean told them what the girls were doing.
Last year, a family friend who’s a firefighter showed up at the lemonade stand with a fire truck, which was fun for the kids.
Why Terry Fox?
The Terry Fox Run was a natural fit for the Cardens, as they had personally been touched by cancer, as many of us are. They were also looking for an organization that they could support as a family.
The Burlington Terry Fox run is a very inclusive event. We welcome people of all ages and abilities to take part. For Tanya and Sean it was nice that they could all do it together.
What about 2020?
Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the Carden family knows that there cannot be a lemonade stand this year. However, as a family they are determined to do something to raise money for Terry Fox.
When I asked them if they had any advice for people facing difficulties this year, Sean had this to say:
“This year has been strange on so many levels. I’ve said to people, ‘we’re figuring this out together.’ No one knows what’s going to happen next week, but we deal with it together. If Terry Fox and the Foundation is something you have supported, either financially or getting out and doing the walk or run, in the past, stick with it. Even though it’s not going to be the same, it will be some semblance of normal.”
And Isabelle said that she would want to do the run on any day because she just wants to help people. Her final message to me was that she just wants everyone to be happy and safe. With comments like those, you can tell she will be a Terry Foxer for life.
If you want to support Team Carden Family, you can sponsor them. The girls want to raise $2,000, so let’s help them reach their goal!
Written by Allison Webster, Burlington Terry Fox Run committee member
Photographs provided by The Cardens from their personal collection
Terry Fox Lives in Burlington 
Go Carden’s Go!!!! Grace & Izzy are awesome
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