BAY HEAD — While Art in the Park was happening throughout the town, a pair of young Bay Head locals worked to help raise money for ALS research via a lemonade stand.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement.

Sisters Clara Wetzel, 13, and Ellie Wetzel, 11, operated a lemonade and iced tea stand in the heat of the day to raise “funds, awareness and hope for ALS,” according to Clara. They have been raising money and operating this stand for approximately seven years.

Two years ago, the Wetzel sisters helped start an organization called Kids Quest to Cure ALS. This is a coalition of youth from both across the United States and Canada working to raise awareness and funds for ALS research.

For the two sisters, ALS has hit them very close to home: “Sadly, our grandfather and great-grandfather both passed away from ALS,” said Clara. “We are doing this to bring hope to the ALS community.”

With this being a national organization, the Wetzel sisters are just one link in the chain. There are many other kids hosting different events throughout the country that anyone can get involved with, and Ellie encourages other kids to get involved. To learn more, visit their website.

Over the years, the duo has raised over $75,000 through their lemonade and ice tea stands, with this year’s sales reaching close to the $6,000 range.

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