FEATURE | A big boost for a little girl on a mission

August 17, 2026August 16, 2026 ~ Randy Seaver

Six-year-old Madison Charland of Biddeford hoped to raise $1,000 by selling lemonade to fight childhood cancer. Thanks to a generous donation from a local business, Madison has exceeded her goal.

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

You may recall that six-year-old Madison Charland of Biddeford began selling lemonade this summer to help fight childhood cancer.

Madison — who underwent years of treatment as a cancer survivor starting when she was an infant – had a goal to raise $1,000 to be given to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, organizations that helped her family cope with her diagnosis.

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Well, this week Madison got some very good news. Thanks to a generous donation by the owners and seasonal campers at the Red Apple Campground in Arundel, Madison has exceeded her fundraising goal – and donations are still coming in.

**BIG DONATION** | Gloria D’Amico from Red Apple Campground stopped by Madison’s lemonade stand in Biddeford to drop a large donation and invite the six-year-old to sell her lemonade during a special event at the Arundel campground. | *Contributed Photo*

. . .

“It’s just so wonderful to see the community step up and rally around Madison, said Sherri Charland when asked about her daughter’s fundraising effort. “We never expected so much kindness.”

Madison has now raised slightly more than $1,400, which will be evenly split between the two charities.

Jane Berg, owner of the Red Apple Campground, said the decision to support Madison’s efforts fit nicely with a long-standing tradition at her family-owned business.

Berg’s late husband had a nephew who struggled with childhood cancer. Today, Berg’s nephew has completely recovered and is working as a full-time law enforcement officer.

“Every year, we do fundraising to support the fight against childhood cancer,” Berg explained. “For us, it’s very personal.”

Gloria D’Amico, a Red Apple Campground employee, explained that seasonal campers have a long-standing tradition of private, outdoor Wednesday afternoon Bingo games for small stakes.

More often than not, the winnings are donated to charity,” D’Amico explained. And fighting childhood cancer is a priority for both the owners and campers at Red Apple.

Sherri said Madison has been invited to sell her lemonade on Wednesday this week at the Red Apple Campground.

“She’s really looking forward to it,” Sherri said of her daughter. “It’s been a really good experience for her, and for all of us.”

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