Staten Island Yankees Host 'Megan's Lemonade Stand' to Support YMCA Today, 6/24

Today, June 24, the Staten Island Yankees are partnering with the Ajello's and the Staten Island YMCA to host a fundraising event at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. All funds generated will go to the Staten Island YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

Megan's Lemonade Stand, will start when the gates at Richmond County Bank Ballpark open at 3:00 PM. Staten Island Yankee fans will be able to purchase lemonade that is squeezed and prepared by Megan Ajello to raise money for the Staten Island YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.

"We are very grateful to the Ajello family and to the Staten Island Yankees for their support of the Staten Island YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign," said John Semerad, executive director of the Staten Island South Shore YMCA. "Contributions to the YMCA's annual Strong Kids Campaign go directly to making Y programs and membership available to those in need so that no one is turned away based on an inability to pay. The scholarships and financial assistance provided by the this campaign help young people and families throughout Staten Island to experience our YMCA through participation in programs like summer camp, early childhood and youth programs and teen activities."

To purchase tickets, visit www.siyanks.com/tickets.

The Staten Island Yankees are a Single-A affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011).

The Staten Island YMCA is, and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves Staten Island's health and well-being and provides opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In scores of neighborhoods across the borough, the YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower nearly 60,000 Staten Islanders – including 24,000 kids and teens – to learn, grow and thrive. Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, the Staten Island YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, early childhood programs and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Visit ymcanyc.org/statenisland to learn more.

The lemonade stand for charity started over five years ago in the Ajello driveway. It was the idea of Megan's sister, Erin, who is now 16. Erin decided the first lemonade stand would benefit West Shore Little League-which was the first Staten Island little league to include physically disabled children-the Challengers. The 2008 Megan's lemonade stand went to the Strong Kids Campaign for the YMCA. The Ajello family, including, parents Linda and Danny, have been members since 2000 of the South Shore YMCA. The lemonade stands continued to make thousands of dollars for charities over the years.

In 2011, Linda Ajello nominated Megan as a HOPE Week nominee as part of the New York Yankees HOPE week initiative. The New York Yankees were impressed with Megan's determination. Megan has cerebral palsy, has a seizure disorder, cannot walk, and has gone for over 5 major operations-including a spinal fusion which placed metal rods and over 37 screw in her spine. Megan has never let that stop her, she is always smiling.

The New York Yankees not only picked Megan as their nominee for July 28, 2011, they made Megan's Lemonade Stand for charity famous. The generous New York Yankees built a lemonade stand that is truly accessible for Megan, supported the Special Olympics and also the Seton Foundation for Education. Megan is a student at Bishop Ahern high school, part of Seton.

It is only proper that the stand the New York Yankees built is put to good use once again. Although Megan had another surgery this past winter, she is ready for the next lemonade stand for charity.

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