A neighborhood lemonade stand raised more than $1,000 as the community mourned 13-year-old Lainey Scroggs in Lambertville, Michigan.
LAMBERTVILLE, Mich. — Children in a Michigan neighborhood turned a lemonade stand into a show of support for the family of 13-year-old Lainey Scroggs, a cheerleader and rising eighth grader who died after a medical emergency.
Bedford Public Schools announced Lainey’s death after the medical emergency on Aug. 12. She was preparing to begin eighth grade at Bedford Junior High School and was a member of the cheer team. The district described her as a cherished part of the school community and said she was deeply connected to students and staff.
As Lainey’s parents and older sister, Kenna, mourned, a group of neighborhood children decided to help. They set up a stand with signs reading “Lemonade for Lainey” and included a QR code directing customers to a fundraiser for the family.
The lemonade stand collected more than $1,000 in online donations, not including cash given at the stand, according to WTVG reporting carried by Gray News. The family’s separate online fundraiser had received nearly $74,000 by the time of the report.
The response quickly became a larger display of community support. Seventh grader Ava Nehrig, one of the young people involved, said it was meaningful to see neighbors come together during a difficult time.
Bedford Public Schools said Lainey was a valued member of the cheer team and a student who meant a great deal to people across the district. The district also emphasized her roles outside school, describing her as a daughter, sister and friend to many.
Lainey’s family later thanked the community for the support it had shown them. In a statement, the family said they were comforted by knowing how deeply she was loved and how many people had been touched by her life.
The medical emergency that preceded Lainey’s death was not described in greater detail in the public reports reviewed. No additional information about its cause had been released, and the family’s focus remained on mourning her loss and receiving support from the surrounding community.
The lemonade stand and broader fundraising effort continued to draw attention as Lambertville residents rallied around the Scroggs family. What began as a small neighborhood effort became one of several ways community members showed support following Lainey’s death.
Author note: Last updated August 17, 2026.