Plymouth Girl’s Lemonade Stand Raises Thousands of Dollars for Diabetes Research

A Plymouth girl opened a lemonade stand this week, but instead of pocketing the cash, she’s donating the money she made to research an important cause.

Vera Hodapp, 11, raised $1,700 on Tuesday, Aug. 20 for Type 1 diabetes research.

It’s a cause that’s close to her heart — she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 2 years old.

She wanted to comfort others that have been diagnosed with the disease.

“If someone has Type 1 diabetes, you’re not alone,” she said. “And, it’s not a bad thing, because we can do everything else a normal person can do.”

Vera Hodapp, 11, talks with Plymouth first responders on Tuesday.

Police and firefighters from Plymouth, as well as friends, family and neighbors visited the lemonade stand to support the search for a cure.

Vera’s mother Tiffany said the donations are also a way her daughter can give hope to others.

“The fact that she has this lemonade stand every year gives me hope and the community and everybody else living with Type 1 [diabetes],” she said.

Vera has hosted the fundraiser every since she turned 4 years old.

Plymouth