Turning lemons into lemonade for Niagara Dog Rescue

Ishani Pal’s successful fundraising efforts just keep on growing.

Going into Grade 3 at Crossroads School, the eight-year-old sold more than 30 litres of lemonade and almost 60 bags of popcorn from her Karsam Court lemonade stand Saturday, as friends, neighbours and community members who know of her efforts stopped by to support her.

Ishani is passionate about raising funds for Niagara Dog Rescue, where the Pal family found their dog Spot in 2021, when Ishami was five. In 2022 Ishani decided to sell lemonade for the dog rescue organization, and raised $905 to donate to the cause.

Spot was in attendance at the event Saturday — a different dog from when they first brought him into their home. He’s “become confident enough to spend the entire day outside with us,” says Ishani’s mother, Urbee Shome Pal. “We’re still trying to teach him to play,” she explains. “When he came to us, he didn’t know how to play. He didn’t know what toys were, but he's learning. Now, he’s become more calm, more confident. And Ishani loves him so much, she wants to help Niagara Dog Rescue” for saving him for her.

Last year, says Urbee, Ishani’s lemonade stand raised $1,800, and although donations will keep trickling in following Saturday's event, she expects to surpass $2,000, thanks to generous friends, family and community members who continue to offer their support.  “Some of our neighbours told us that they look forward to this fundraising event every year, and even planned a trip around it.”

“We are so proud of Ishani for her diligence and passion to raise funds for Niagara Dog Rescue, where our Spot came from,” adds Urbee.