By Kat Bryant

Grays Harbor News Group

Every summer since she was 3 years old, SusanMarie Peery has been setting up a lemonade stand for one weekend to raise money for the Cosmopolis Volunteer Fire Department.

Over the past 13 years, she has pulled in thousands of dollars in donations. After a 2019 hiatus, she will stage her final fundraiser on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SusanMarie, now 17, is making this her senior project.

“It seems like I’ve been doing it forever,” she said. “It’s kind of bittersweet that this is the last one.”

Because of coronavirus precautions, she won’t be able to offer donors her signature strawberry lemonade. Instead, she’ll be conducting a raffle and silent auction and accepting direct donations at her usual spot on Main Street, near the police and fire departments.

Visitors are asked to wear a mask to browse the raffle and auction items. No more than 10 people at a time will be allowed in that area, and hand sanitizer will be provided. In addition, face masks with a lemon motif will be available for a minimum $5 donation.

Raffle items include gardening items, Seattle Seahawks swag, a roadside assistance kit and various gift certificates from local businesses.

The silent auction, which already has begun on the Facebook event page, has a couple of high-dollar items up for grabs.

Nick Bailey of Cosmopolis created a large American flag by piecing together different kinds and colors of wood, including one red stripe signifying support for firefighters. As of Wednesday morning, the bidding was up to $250.

The Dale Jr. Foundation sent an official signed model of Earnhardt’s No. 8 car.

“We’ve always been Nascar fans in the family. We sent a letter to him about 10 years ago … and he responded and has supported us since then,” said SusanMarie. “He’s posted on Twitter for us, too. He’s been one of our biggest supporters.”

In 2007, her first event brought in $13. The local firefighters named her an honorary member of their department and presented her with a little pair of yellow boots, with her name and some flowers hand-painted on them.

The annual fundraiser has evolved quite a bit since then, with several local businesses regularly contributing to the effort. For example, the local Franz Bakery provides doughnuts every year for the booth volunteers; and Jay’s Farm Stand (her first employer) has always given her fresh strawberries for the lemonade.

The donor base also has expanded significantly.

“People from all over the world have donated. We’ve had people from as far as Australia donating,” said SusanMarie. “And the year before last, we had a bunch of firemen that were in 9/11 come all the way from New York just to donate to our fire department!”

Over the years, her annual enterprise has raised a total of more than $23,700 for Cosi firefighters. Last year, even though no event was held, $500 in donations were made. She is hoping to raise enough this weekend to break $25,000.

“With COVID it’s real hard, and I feel bad asking for donations. It’s hard for people with everything going on,” she said. “But some people have already showed up and given a lot this year.”

As of Wednesday morning, she had already received direct donations and auction bids totaling more than $1,000.

“I am so proud of her, and I know our community is too,” Ann Peery, SusanMarie’s grandmother and top supporter, said in a Facebook post. “It is quite an accomplishment.”

For more information about auction items, or to place early bids, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2688293441444741. The raffles and auction will close at 5 p.m., and the winners will be contacted to make arrangements for payment and pickup.

Online donations may be made through Venmo.com/Ann-Peery through Aug. 15.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s organization donated this signed Nascar model for the auction.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group This wavy wooden flag, created by Cosmopolis artist Nick Bailey, includes a red stripe signifying support for firefighters. As of Wednesday morning, SusanMarie had received an online bid of $250 for it.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group Opal Art Glass of Cosmopolis donated this softball-sized textured glass globe for the auction.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group The Cosmopolis Volunteer Fire Department named SusanMarie an honorary firefighter after her first fundraiser 14 years ago and gave her these boots.

Kat Bryant | Grays Harbor News Group SusanMarie poses with her grandmother, Ann Peery, who has supported her efforts from the beginning.