Sappington 5th-Graders Raise $14,000-Plus for Lonnie Avent's Family

Smiles were everywhere, but so were hugs, Friday at the Sappington Elementary School parking lot.

The Sappington fifth-graders and their parents mobilized Friday with Lemonade for Lonnie, a massive lemonade stand to benefit the family of Lonnie Avent, a Sappington third-grader who died following a car accident on May 9.

See photos of Lemonade for Lonnie on Affton-Shrewsbury Patch Facebook.

The fifth-graders took charge on the school parking lot, directing traffic and taking lemonade orders at multiple stands.

Parent, Kimberly Amerein, said they didn't have a goal, but would stay out as long as people kept coming. As of 3:30 p.m. Friday, Lemonade for Lonnie had raised more than $11,000. At the end, the kids and parents pulled in more than $14,000 for Avent's family to use for a funeral.

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Darlene Vitale said she has a senior at Lindbergh (Sammy), and said this touched her heart.

"They should be handing out Kleenex along with the lemonade," she said.

Check back for updates, to find out the total raised for Lonnie's family.