Fall River teen helps raise money for community, grandmother with cancer, with help from BayCoast Bank

SWANSEA, FALL RIVER, MA – Giving from the heart. That is exactly what Brenten Clarke has been doing for the past eight years. The Fall River, Massachusetts teenager has always believed in helping his community. So, when the first Lemonade Day South Coast community event was organized in 2015, Brenten, at the young age of eight, knew what he wanted to do.

“I started participating in Lemonade Day because it was a great way to learn about becoming an entrepreneur by having a lemonade stand,“ said Clarke. “It was also a fun way to earn money that could be donated to people who needed it.”

With the help of his family, Brenten started his Lemonade Day stand, calling it Lemons From Heaven. Since he began participating in the annual summer event, Brenten has donated to numerous charities, supporting local causes that are close to him and his family.

This year, building his lemonade stand had an even greater meaning.

“I am doing this in honor of my grandmother, who has kidney cancer,” said Clarke. “I decided to donate all my Lemonade Day profits to South Coast Oncology, where she is being treated. It means a lot to me because we want her to be healthy.”

Brenten and his family also have a special place in the BayCoast Bank community who sponsors the event. Every year, he has chosen to set up his Lemonade Day stand in front of BayCoast Bank’s Robeson Street branch in Fall River. Brenten’s mother, Courtney Clarke, says neighbors have gotten to know her son through the Lemonade Day event over the years and come out every summer to support him. “We’re like family,” she adds.

Brenten’s grandmother, Donna Clarke, says she appreciates what her grandson is doing to help her. “I am very proud of him, very proud. He’s a good kid.” Donna Clarke, wearing a hat featuring bright yellow lemons, was right there to help Brenten on Lemonade Day, even in the pouring rain. Brenten says he is grateful that she was able to be there for him.

Lemonade Day South Coast is a free, fun annual experiential learning program that teaches children and young adults how to start, own and operate their own business by running a lemonade stand. This year’s event was held on Saturday, June 24th, featuring more than 40 lemonade stands across the area. BayCoast Bank is delighted to be the main sponsor of Lemonade Day and has been since its inception in 2015.

“BayCoast Bank is proud to sponsor Lemonade Day South Coast, which helps empower children to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs,” said John McMahon, Senior Vice President Community Engagement for BayCoast Bank. “When we heard about Brenten’s story and his wish to raise money in honor of his grandmother, we were happy to offer our support by making a matching donation to South Coast Oncology.”

Brenten raised $300 this year despite the terrible weather conditions. The pouring rain may have damped sales, but not Brenten’s commitment to help the community with the help of BayCoast by matching what he raised.

BayCoast Bank, a long-time community savings bank serving the people and businesses on the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, believes that supporting our community is the right thing to do. “Whether it is through giving a grant or giving of our time through hundreds of volunteer hours annually, BayCoast cares about helping our neighbors where we live and work. That is a very important part of our culture,” adds McMahon.