Family mourning 13-year-old cheerleader’s sudden loss gets support from kids selling lemonade

As a Michigan family mourns the sudden loss of their 13-year-old daughter, the kids in their neighborhood are supporting them the best way they know how.

Lainey Scroggs, 13, was a cheerleader and rising 8th grade student at Bedford Junior High School. She died Wednesday following a medical emergency, according to a statement from Bedford Public Schools.

“Lainey was a cherished and vibrant part of our community, a beloved member of the cheer team, and someone who was deeply connected to our district family,” the school district’s statement read. “Most importantly, she was a daughter, a sister, and a friend to so many.”

After hearing about the tragedy, a group of kids in Lambertville decided they wanted to help raise money for Lainey’s parents and older sister, Kenna. They set up a lemonade stand with signs reading “Lemonade for Lainey” and a QR code that sent passersby to a GoFundMe for the family.

“It’s really cool to see just how much the community comes together when bad stuff happens,” 7th grader Ava Nehrig said.

The lemonade stand raised over $1,000 in online donations, which doesn’t include the stack of cash people donated, too. Meanwhile, the family’s GoFundMe has raised nearly $74,000.

The Scroggs family thanked the community for its love and support in a statement on Friday.

“Nothing will ever bring our precious Lainey back, but we find comfort in knowing how deeply she was loved and how profoundly her beautiful life touched so many hearts. Her time with us was far too short, but the impact she made and the love she brought into this world will last forever. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for loving Lainey and for continuing to hold our family close,” the statement read in part.