This summer, young philanthropists across New Canaan are once again invited to set up LemonAid stands to support vulnerable children at the Facing the Future Education Center (FAFU) in Kibera, Kenya. The annual initiative, organized by the New Canaan YMCA, combines a timeless childhood activity with meaningful global impact—and local families are encouraged to participate and share their photos with The New Canaan Sentinel throughout the season.
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, children and families can host a LemonAid stand in their neighborhoods to raise funds for FAFU, a school and safe haven serving more than 380 children in one of the world’s most impoverished areas. The funds raised help provide essential services including education, meals, clean water, and medical care to children living in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum.
Participation is simple: sign up by contacting Diana Riolo at 203-920-1653 or driolo@newcanaanymca.org, then pick up a LemonAid kit from the YMCA while supplies last. Stands can be hosted at any time over the summer. Donations collected are returned to the YMCA to support FAFU directly.
Since 2007, the New Canaan YMCA has partnered with Facing the Future to provide life-sustaining support to children living in Kibera, where overcrowding, lack of sanitation, and extreme poverty are daily realities. Originally serving 120 students in a single room, FAFU has grown into a multi-building campus offering structured education, basic healthcare, and two meals a day. For many of the students, FAFU is their only source of food and water.
The YMCA’s broader support includes the annual FAFU Child Sponsorship Program, which matches New Canaan families with FAFU fourth graders through a $360/year sponsorship that covers tuition, meals, a uniform, school supplies, and medical care. In addition, the Panzano FAFU High School Scholarship Fund—named in honor of former YMCA Executive Director Craig Panzano—provides scholarships to FAFU graduates.
As LemonAid stands begin popping up across town, The New Canaan Sentinel invites families to share photos of their stands and young fundraisers. Selected submissions will be published throughout the summer to celebrate the community’s creativity and generosity.
To submit photos, email them to CORDELIA@SentinelHometownNews.com with the subject line “LemonAid Stand 2025,” and include your name, your child’s name(s), and the date and location of your stand.
To learn more about the YMCA’s partnership with Facing the Future or to sponsor a child, visit www.newcanaanymca.org/fafuFacing-the-Future-Partnership.
