Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
Stephanie Walcott | The Herald-Advocate
MARLBORO COUNTY — What started as a child’s wish to have a lemonade stand turned into much more than a childhood rite of passage. For five years now, 11-year-old Niah Joye has given away lemonade twice a year to benefit the Pee Dee Coalition (PDC), a non-profit dedicated to fighting sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
Niah knew about the Pee Dee Coalition because her grandmother Sharon Woodham works at the Marlboro site. When Niah was telling Wendy Woods, PDC Service Coordinator for Marlboro County, about her dream of a lemonade stand, Woods offered to let her do it at PDC.
Niah took it from there and decided, rather than sell her lemonade, she’d take donations for the PDC. The community came out in droves to support her and the organization. It is now a much-anticipated community event that brings everyone together and has added over $4000 to PDC’s coffers over the years. Her mother Ni-Shequa Woodham said “Niah raises between $800-$1,400 each time she runs the stand. I’m really proud of her.”
Niah held her 9th lemonade stand Thursday. Members of the police, sheriff, fire and rescue departments came by for some sweet, cold lemonade as did State Rep. Jason Luck and many other community members. There was also a basket of blue pinwheels, which represent the joy and innocence of childhood, available for patrons. It was a brief respite on a busy day as people relaxed in the shade and talked to fellow citizens as they sipped their drinks.
Niah times her lemonade stands to coincide with two of PDC’s most important initiatives- Child Abuse Prevention month in April and Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, so she raises not only money but also awareness of the issues.
Woods said, “Niah has the gift of service. She serves that lemonade with love and a smile, and that’s why this event gets bigger and bigger every year. That’s why our community partners come out to support not just us but also Niah. And I thank everyone, because it’s always a pleasure to see people take time out of their day for a worthy cause.”
The Pee Dee Coalition in Marlboro County is located on 108 S. Parsonage Street, Bennettsville, SC, 29512. The Center’s phone number is 843-479-0882. The PDC’s Free 24-Hour Crisis Line:843-699-4600 or 1-800-273-1820. The website is www.peedeecoalition.org.