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Suzy's Swirl teams with 9-year-old to fight childhood cancer

July 16, 2013

Fourth-grader Sydnie Bayles is partnering with Chicago's Suzy's Swirl to raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. She and her mom, Morreen Bayles, held a pep rally for the staff at Suzy's Swirl last week to kick off the fro-yo brand's three-week campaign to raise funds for the national movement dedicated to finding a cure for children with cancer.

"Sydnie is an amazing little girl, a true inspiration and a reminder to each of us that we can accomplish so much if we have passion and purpose and, as in Syndie's case, a clear mission," said Kathleen Wood, restaurant industry consultant and co-owner of Suzy's Swirl with her sister, Sue. "Alex's Lemonade is an outstanding organization, and we look forward to swirling yellow over the next several weeks while we raise money to fight childhood cancer."

Suzy's Swirl is providing a variety of ways for its customers to support Alex's Lemonade from now until July 31, including donating proceeds from the sale of its lemon sorbetto, lemon toppings and lemon pies to Sydnie's operation in support of the charity. Customers can also stop in and make a donation.

Now in her eighth year of fundraising, 9-year-old Sydnie has already raised more than $106,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand from her home base outside Philadelphia. This year alone her goal is to raise $50,000, so she decided to expand her fundraising network. Her mother, who introduced Sydnie to the non-profit to instill the value of giving back, said she knew just who to contact.

"I've been friends with Kathleen and Sue for years, so I know what generous souls they are," she said. "I knew all it would take was one call and they'd be in. Sure enough, they welcomed Sydnie and me with open arms and agreed to be our partners in the Chicago market."

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