[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/lemonade.jpg” caption=”Chris Ramelan offers a cup of his handmade lemonade to a student passing by the stand. Photo credit: Deborah McIvor”]What did fourth year humanities student Chris Ramelan do when a big box marked “Sunkist” was delivered to his front door last Friday? He did what he was expected to do – make lemonade.

You might take a stroll by the MSU Union Market today or tomorrow and catch a glimpse of an over-sized 'boy' selling homemade lemonade from a four-foot tall cardboard “Sunkist” stand. Times have changed, however, it will cost you more than just the five cents that Lucy of Peanuts fame once offered – you'll have to shell out a loonie to taste the refreshing citrus drink created by McMaster's latest international contest winner. Of course, he's donating all proceeds to charity – and his charity of choice is the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind).

If you're wondering how this all came about, Ramelan will be happy (and a little embarrassed) to tell you. Ramelan has a prankster buddy who finds time in his workday to volunteer his friend for a range of activities – most of which catch Ramelan quite off guard. He's received free Bibles, travel guides and had appointments made to meet with various folks of diverse callings, including the head of the local Jehovah's Witness chapter. While not encouraging pranks, Ramelan does consider it a sign of true friendship and community. So, this time when something big came to his doorstep, he decided it was time to pay his dues.

Ramelan's friend, Justin, had signed him up for the Sunkist pledge to “Take a Stand” for a charitable cause. Kids ages 7 to 12 from every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada submitted their 100-word pledges describing how they plan to operate their stand to benefit a charity this summer. Over 10,000 stands were sent out with supplies and instructions for kids on how to set up the stands, sell lemonade and then to donate the proceeds to charity. Chris Ramelan was one of these lucky winners.

Chris Ramelan is doing his part to help out the CNIB, since, to his surprise, he won a lemonade stand from Sunkist this summer. Photo credit: D. McIvor

Although Ramelan is not quite the 'ten-year old' who apparently submitted a successful pledge, he has decided to pay his dues and “see this thing through.” For three days this week, he will be outside the Union Market asking passersby to contribute to his charitable fundraiser in exchange for a refreshing hand created beverage. (Rumour has it, he may return with his lemonade stand during Welcome Week. )Ramelan may not fit the age guidelines in Sunkist's list of criteria, but it is his plan to give back to the community anyway.

“I may be taller than this stand,” he laughs. “But no one is too big to get involved with helping others.”

What next?

“Well, my friend called the other day and warned me to look out because my mail box might be getting 'a bit heavy' soon,” says Ramelan. This time, he can only cross his fingers and hope it's something as fun and interesting as the Sunkist challenge.