BROOKLYN, Ohio — For the past seven years, brothers Gideon Trank, 13, and Josiah, 11, have annually raised funds for Brooklyn first responders.
This summer, the siblings wanted to do something special for the victims of last month’s Lorain shooting, which left police officer Phillip Wagner dead and officers Peter Gale and Brent Payne injured.
“When we heard about it, we just wanted to raise money for the families,” Gideon said.
That’s exactly what the boys did the first weekend of August, with their lemonade stand garnering plenty of attention.
“A friend of mine is a dispatcher in Lorain, so that’s how we helped get the word out,” said the boys’ mother, Machelle.
“The lemonade was $1 or a donation, but there were people who showed up giving $5. We even had people giving $100 bills.
“The boys raised thousands of dollars. The wife of Officer Wagner actually came out and met the boys.”
The Trank brothers normally host a summertime lemonade stand effort that culminates with donating the funds in the form of having a food truck feed Brooklyn first responders on 9/11.
However, recent shooting incidents involving fallen and injured police officers have taken priority for the kids.
“I’m very proud they continue to do it, even though they’re getting older,” Machelle said.
“They do it and they never ask for money either. They’re excited to give it to first responders and their families.”
As far as their effort’s impact in the community, the brothers are hoping to inspire others to follow.
“We hope people see what we do and they’ll help as well,” Gideon said.
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