BANGOR, Maine — Isaac Renshaw-Sirimoglu, 7, asked Santa Claus for a little brother for Christmas last year.
But the big, bearded man in red didn’t pony up, so Isaac took matters into his own hands.
With the help of his father, Halise Sirimoglu, Isaac built a lemonade stand, got a permit and set up shop in West Market Square in Bangor on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Isaac dubbed the creation the Italian Stallion Lemonade Stand after his favorite movie, “Rocky,” which he said he has seen four or five times. The “Rocky” theme song repeated in the background as Isaac poured out glass after glass of fresh lemonade throughout the day.
People lined up for a taste of Isaac’s $1 lemonade, each cup garnished with a fresh slice of lemon. Muffins also were for sale. All proceeds go toward the adoption fund for Isaac’s future little brother.
Isaac cringed when asked if he would settle for a sister.
Donations have poured in from area businesses, including Giacomo’s, Paddy Murphy’s, Nocturnem Draft Haus, Monahan Design, Metropolitan Soul, The Salvation Army and Winterport Boot, according to Isaac’s mother, Jodi Renshaw.
Isaac proudly displayed a $100 bill given to him by a man who also bought two glasses of lemonade. It’s the first $100 bill he has ever handled, he said.
Isaac’s father said he had helped his son mix at least 14 or 15 pitchers of lemonade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. while the lemonade stand was open.
The goal for the day was $1,500, the cost of an adoption application through the Good Samaritan Agency in Bangor, according to Renshaw. Sunday’s grand total came to $868, Renshaw said.
Even after paying for the application, Renshaw said she expects the rest of the adoption process will cost her family at least $10,000.
“It’s an extremely expensive venture” for a middle-class family, Renshaw said Sunday.
Renshaw and Sirimoglu, of Bangor, adopted Isaac when he was 14 months old and brought him to Maine from Haiti.
If everything goes according to plan, Isaac could have his new brother in a year or so, according to Renshaw.
Isaac thanked everyone who donated or came out on Sunday to enjoy a glass of lemonade in the rain.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the adoption fund may do so by sending donations to Isaac Renshaw-Sirimoglu, 1746 Stillwater Ave., Bangor 04401.
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- Isaac Renshaw-Sirimoglu, 7, pours a glass of lemonade for a customer at his lemonade stand in West Market Square in downtown Bangor on Sunday afternoon. Isaac is attempting to raise $1,500 so his parents can start the process of adopting a little brother for him. Isaac was adopted from Haiti as a 14-month-old. His parents, Jodi Renshaw and Halise Sirimoglu helped him in his fundraising efforts throughout the day.
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