Amazing Grace Lemonade Race raises funds for premature baby department

An award-winning philanthropic event started as a fifth-grader's lemonade stand to raise money for hospitalized children.

It quickly blossomed into an annual 5K that has raised more than $173,000.

Grace McCunn is the founder of the annual Amazing Grace Lemonade Race, which is now in its eighth year.

The walk/run will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Ada Hayden park. A kids’ fun run will begin at 7:30 a.m.

McCunn donates funds each year to a different department or project at the Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. This year, the proceeds will be directed to the premature intensive care unit (PICU) and to the Ronald McDonald House across the street from the hospital.

Experiencing chronic pain at a young age

McCunn's philanthropic spirit can be traced back to middle school when she and her sister Sarah were diagnosed with chronic daily migraines.

They both struggled with the pain, requiring several visits to Blank Hospital. Sarah was even laid up for a few weeks in Des Moines.

The experience pulled at Grace McCunn's emotions. Knowing her peers were also suffering inspired her to find a way to help.

“It’s hard to see other patients still in the hospital while you are leaving,” Grace McCunn said.

Raising funds for a noble cause

A simple fundraiser was the most feasible plan of attack, hoping to turn lemons into lemonade.

At first, McCunn planned to raise $1,000. The next goal was to bring in $5,000 and she surpassed that, too.

The lemonade stand eventually evolved into a 5K run/walk event, drawing interest from patients at Blank Children's Hospital.

“It's something that is really fun to not only put on but also help others out,” McCunn said in a past interview. “We get kids every year who have been at Blank or are still going to Blank, and they come here for the run.”

Last year, McCunn was honored with the Aaron Eilerts Community Service Award at the Iowa Character Awards.

The cost to participate in the 5K walk/run is $40 and $25 for kids in the fun run.

Registration can be done the day of the race or ahead of time through a RunReg link on the “Amazing Grace Lemonade Race” Facebook page .

Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Amazing Grace Lemonade Race raises funds for premature baby department