BIDDEFORD — Three local girls have spent some of their summer vacation working to help others.

Friends Isabella Hall, 10, and Valentina Laflamme, 9, of Biddeford, and Kassidy Laflamme, 9, of Saco, who know each other through cheerleading together, created the “Beat the Heat Lemonade Stand,” open Tuesdays, to raise money for the Bon Appetit Community Meal Program, since they have spent time volunteering there, prepping and serving meals. They charged 50 cents per cup and had a donation container for anyone who wanted to add to their totals.

“Kassidy thought of lemonade, and I said, ”˜Why not do it for Bon Appetit?’” Valentina said.

“We worked at Bon Appetit and realized we could make it better for people who go there for dinner,” Kassidy added.

With the money they raised in hand, the three girls were eager to present it to volunteer and member of the Bon Appetit Board of Directors Annabelle Carpenter, who is also the great aunt of cousins Valentina and Kassidy. Their grand total was $41, and all three said they were happy to donate the money because they have everything they need, but the people who visit the food program could use the help.

“It’s good to feel like we have money, but it’s better to help make sure others have what they need,” Isabella said. “It makes you feel happy to help others.”

— Submitted by Linda Sprague-Lambert, president, Bon Appetit Community Meal Program