MORGANTON, N.C. — A local fire department, volunteers, and the community are building wheelchair access ramps at the homes of two girls who were hit by a car while setting up their lemonade stand last week on Conley Road near Morganton.
Two vehicles collided sending the car into the yard where three girls, all under 10, were running the lemonade stand.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Three children hit by car at lemonade stand near Morganton, driver charged
- ‘It’s amazing’: Firefighters to host lemonade stand, raise money for girls injured in crash
A 7- and an 8-year-old girl were flown to the hospital.
Volunteers for the nonprofit, Foothills Service Project, are building two ramps: One on Wednesday and the other on Thursday.
The Brendletown Fire Department said it has gotten overwhelming support from the community to help purchase the lumber needed to build the ramps.
“Thank you so much to this community,” said Harry Brittain, with Brendletown Fire. “I know these girls are really appreciative for what you’re doing because it’s really going to be a fit for them.”
Andrew Whisenant, who is overseeing the construction, said this project is a way of showing these girls the community cares.
“I’m just blessed,” he said. “This is our way of sharing God’s love with this community by doing something physical for them, and let them know they are loved”
Volunteers at the Foothills Service Project spent more than five hours on Wednesday building the 60-foot ramp. It was completed in time for Annabelle, the 7-year-old girl, who returned home from a hospital.
Her older brother helped get her into their home. Her mother spoke with Channel 9 about the outpouring of support from the community.
“It makes us realize that humanity is still out there, and people care,” said Sierra Barnette, mother. “We appreciate it and thank you.”
On Wednesday, volunteers will start on the second ramp next door for the 8-year old who remains in a hospital in Asheville.
VIDEO: ‘It’s amazing’: Firefighters to host lemonade stand, raise money for girls injured in crash
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
