Austin Bielski has come a long way since he was an 8-year-old boy clutching a wad of crumpled up bills that he prepared to donate to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

Austin, now 15, reflected on when he was younger and wanted to hold a lemonade stand “because that’s what kids do.”

The lemonade stand earned just over $100 back in 2018, and his mom, Candice Bielski, urged him to donate the funds to a charity. Together they decided on the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, a nonprofit in Orland Park that helps bring joy to children undergoing cancer treatment.

After the excitement of making the first donation, they wanted to do it again the following year, Bielski said.

Austin, of Homer Glen, decided to keep the lemonade stand a summertime tradition, and his Cups 4 Cancer fundraiser has so far earned nearly $35,000.

Proceeds have also supported the CC2 Forever Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and research funding for the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma, in honor of Connor Christian, a Lockport Township High School baseball player who died from the disease in 2021.

Funds have also been given to Cal’s Angels, a foundation that supports pediatric cancer awareness, funds research and grants wishes to children fighting cancer.

Austin, a three-sport athlete who will enter his sophomore year at Lockport Township High School, said he hopes his upcoming lemonade stand is the best one yet.

This year, he has earmarked the funds to benefit Weish4Ever, which provides direct financial assistance to families with adolescents and young adults battling cancer.

The Cups 4 Cancer fundraiser will be dedicated to Austin’s former junior high school teammate Dylan Krestan, who has battled Hodgkin lymphoma for the last several months.

While Austin and Dylan now attend separate high schools, Austin said they were a dynamic pitcher-catcher duo years ago at Homer Junior High School.

The lemonade stand will also sell Pouring 4 Dylan black-and-green wristbands, and a scratch-off lotto tree will be raffled for $2 an entry, Bielski said.

Austin said he would love if they could reach at least $50,000 in lifetime earnings.

“That would be a big goal,” he said.

While each cup of lemonade costs $1, some patrons have offered much more.

“This feels like people coming together to support a cause,” Austin said. “It’s more than a little lemonade stand.”

Businesses in the Homer Glen area have written checks.

Lemont real estate agents Christine Wilczek and Jason Bacza have sponsored the event and assisted with logo design, custom collectible cups, T-shirts, marketing and supplies. They also made generous financial contributions, Bielski said.

“This boy has an absolute heart of pure gold,” Wilczek said. “He is such a great kid. He is such a shining star. We love sponsoring him.”

Wilczek commended Austin for donating his time and efforts for the Cups 4 Cancer fundraiser and helping local children who are fighting cancer.

“What he is doing, I wish more kids would step up to the plate,” she said.

Austin said he looks forward to the lemonade stand each year and talking with people who stop by. He especially enjoys seeing the money come in because he knows it will support a good cause. He said 100% of the income goes to charity.

“Without (the community support), this wouldn’t be possible or as big as it is,” Austin said.

What started out as a neighborhood lemonade stand has grown into something much larger, the Bielski family said.

People have donated cookies and “pocket hugs” to sell. Will County sheriff’s deputies and Homer firefighters have stopped by over the years, and people come from throughout the suburbs to buy a cup of lemonade after hearing about the event on social media, Bielski said.

In 2020, the family wondered if they should hold the lemonade stand because of the pandemic, but decided the tradition would continue.“Cancer doesn’t stop because of COVID,” Bielski said.

They donated nearly $2,000 that year.

In 2023, Austin, who has an Orland Park mailing address but lives in Homer Glen, was given the Community Pride Award by former Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. At the meeting, Pekau and Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike each donated $500 to his cause.

“We never thought it would be this big,” Bielski said.

The 8th annual Cups 4 Cancer will take place from noon to 4 p.m. July 22 and 23 at 12056 Lake View Drive, Orland Park.

A Venmo option is also available on the Cups 4 Cancer Facebook page.

Community members may also donate at weish4ever.harnessgiving.org/campaigns.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.