The neighborhood lemonade stand that six River Forest families started after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has now raised more than $750,000 for local children's charities.

The 25th annual 9-11 LemonAid, held Sept. 11 on the 700 block of Bonnie Brae Place, brought in more than $47,000 this year alone, according to a letter published in the Wednesday Journal by youth co-chair Connor Chien, an Oak Park and River Forest High School senior. Two dozen local charities, more than 100 volunteers and thousands of neighbors turned out.

The event began in 2002 when a handful of families on the block set up tables in a driveway and raised $400 for Hephzibah Children's Association in Oak Park, the Chicago Tribune reported. Over the years it grew into a block-wide celebration with tents lining both curbs of Bonnie Brae.

Carl Olson, an event co-chair born in August 2001, held up the very first LemonAid banner at this year's event and pointed to his own baby handprints in the top left corner. "It used to be two tents. Now it's tens of tents," Olson told the Wednesday Journal.

Beneficiaries over the years have included the OP-RF Infant Welfare Society, Wonder Works Children's Museum in Oak Park and the Collaboration for Early Childhood. In 2021, LemonAid funds sponsored a medical exam room at the Infant Welfare Society that was named after the group, the Tribune reported.

The event's future drew competing signals heading into September. The Tribune reported organizers announced it would be the final year, citing the workload and original members stepping down.

But at a bell-ringing ceremony during the event, Chien announced that LemonAid would continue on Bonnie Brae in 2027 with help from River Forest Township and the Kiwanis Club of River Forest-Oak Park. River Forest Township Trustee Keith Strom told the Wednesday Journal the township has assisted with permitting and insurance and that planning for a "LemonAid 2.0" would likely begin in October.

Chien's letter confirmed a small group of volunteers is working with the township and Kiwanis on a 2027 edition that will be smaller but will continue the tradition of honoring lives lost and supporting local charities.

Co-founder Chris Hauri, one of the neighbors who sat around a firepit on the night of Sept. 11, 2001, and decided to act, called the event one of the best things in her life. Co-founder Patty Henek said the growth was hard to put into words.

LemonAid is not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Hauri told the Wednesday Journal the founders deliberately kept the structure informal, saying they wanted to avoid the cost of attorneys, licensing and a formal board.

It stayed simple. Residents interested in the 2027 event can find details at the LemonAid website, 9-11lemonaid.com.