by Elizabeth McBride
As summer ends, lemonade stands—complete with handmade posters, pitchers, and coolers—will soon disappear from neighborhoods as the new school year begins.
A child’s Lemonade Stand is most impressive when a community of neighborhood children gather with one goal in mind: Make money and have fun doing it. We’re adapting this Lemonade Stand concept for our fundraising: Our target is to raise up to $15,000 to fund 5 women from each congregation that participates to attend the triennial gathering in Des Moines, Iowa, July 16-19. Of course, each congregation can set its own goal.
Raising money for this effort is not new. Elysia McGill, president of the Synodical Women’s Organization in Nebraska, described how her Synodical Women’s Organization hosts events like Saved to Serve to fund scholarships for attendees. Elysia describes the triennial gathering as “life-changing.” In her synod, the main challenge isn’t raising money; it’s increasing awareness among women about the event. Although her SWO, Region 4A Nebraska, has a tradition of offering these scholarships, Elysia noted that women often don’t apply. She speculates this may be because some think scholarships are only for newcomers or first-time attendees.
Jane Winge, President of Region 4D from Texas, stated: “At NT-NL SWO, we host silent auctions, sell SERRV products, and raffle quilts, baked goods, and other items to raise money for our scholarships. As of May, we have accumulated almost $3,400.”
On Lemonade Day, August 20, we’re launching a lemonade stand fundraiser focused on helping your group raise $15,000 so 5 women from your congregation can attend the Triennial Gathering in Des Moines.
Ready to make a difference? Here’s how you can join the fundraiser and spread the lemonade stand spirit in your congregation and SWO: Here are ways to get started! Set a clear goal of raising $15,000 to support 5 women by covering the cost of early bird registration, travel to and from Des Moines, hotel, and meals.
- Plan a Lemonade Stand in your congregation. On Sunday during announcements, invite congregation members to stop by your “stand” to learn more about the Gathering. Promote the website https://welcatg.org. Synodical Women’s Organizations will receive “I am worthy” pins, coasters and cards in English and Spanish for their conventions. Visit the promote section of the Gathering website when promotional items become available!
- Create Lemon-themed events: Host a tea with lemon scones and cakes, a lemon-themed bake sale after Sunday services, or auction lemon-inspired gift baskets (soaps, SERRV fair trade). Sell tickets to a lemon-themed craft event or painting project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8G6Xjgv-EY
- Invite Campus Ambassadors to help you spread the word. Do you know women on campus that would help you promote the gathering with this idea? The new Campus Ambassador program is live for this school year—all college students can apply and we are hoping to bring four Campus Ambassadors to Des Moines! Learn more and get connected.
August 20 is Lemonade Day so celebrate by getting into lemonade-themed fun this year and bring 5 women from your congregation to Des Moines!
Registration is open!
The Early-bird registration rate offers cost savings and is available until January 5, 2026. And lastly, this life-changing event is an experience for you and other women. Think about ways you can bring COLLEGE STUDENTS, NEW women in your congregation, MEMBERS in your family, and OTHERS who do not have the resources to attend. We will be sharing fundraising ideas next month.
Elizabeth McBride is the director for communication and intergenerational programs and has had the pleasure of witnessing the power of Women of the ELCA gatherings since 2002.