From a very young age, East Stroudsburg University sophomore Savannah Zeaman understood the lasting impact teachers can have on their students.<\/p>\n
Not only is it the reason Zeaman chose to major in early childhood and elementary education, it\u2019s also what inspired her to begin a fundraiser that has raised nearly $40,000 towards cancer research since 2013.<\/p>\n
That year, as Zeaman was beginning her own educational journey as a first grader at McDonald Elementary School\u00a0in Warminster, Pa., she started Savannah\u2019s Lemonade Stand as a tribute to her late kindergarten teacher, Kathryn Shelmire, who had died from cancer the year before.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the first death that I ever experienced, so it really had a big impact on me,\u201d Zeaman said. \u201cI remember asking a ton of questions, just trying to figure out what I can do to prevent other people from feeling the way I was feeling at that moment, so that\u2019s when I started my lemonade stand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Setting up on the sidewalk outside her home, Zeaman raised about $200 that she donated to the American Cancer Society. As Savannah\u2019s Lemonade Stand grew and word of it spread, Zeaman saw the totals increase from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. She eventually incorporated raffles and art auctions and began donating the proceeds to the Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
In her final fundraiser in 2023 before starting at ESU, she collected nearly $6,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy that time, it grew into a huge event that was more of a year-long thing where I would also hold a clothing drive and collect clothes throughout the year that we would donate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Though Zeaman has had to put the lemonade stand on hold while living and studying at ESU, she has continued her clothing drive and is closing in on her original goal of raising $50,000.<\/p>\n
Looking back on the fundraiser\u2019s humble beginnings 12 years later, Zeaman never expected her tribute to Shelmire would reach such heights.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was special to see it evolve but also amazing to just hear different stories from people in the community about how my work was affecting them or just their appreciation for it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, as a student in ESU\u2019s College of Education, Zeaman is learning how to have the same effect on others as Shelmire had on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just setting me up to just want the best for other people and do my part in helping other people out,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve been able to meet a ton of people and understand their reasons for wanting to teach which has been a big help too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zeaman said she hopes to explore other opportunities to raise money for Savannah\u2019s Lemonade Stand as she continues her education at ESU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is always something I\u2019ll want to be a part of and always be thinking of new ideas to grow it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Learn more about ESU\u2019s College of Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n