Working summer lemonade stands are about as American as football or apple pie. For some kids, their hard work turns into a new toy or a fun treat, but for Taylor Drake, the profits from his lemonade stand are transforming the lives of University of Alabama students.
Drake, a 7-year-old Tuscaloosa native, raised $96.40 at a lemonade stand he ran with a handful of friends earlier this summer and with his mother, Allison Drake, who works in UA’s Division of Advancement. Instead of buying a bike or video game like most boys his age, he decided to put the proceeds toward a scholarship fund in memory of his late uncle, Walt Gary, who passed away June 6, 2019.
A local celebrity and self-proclaimed “Alabama football superfan,” Gary was born with Down syndrome. He attended UA’s nationally ranked RISE Center, UA’s CrossingPoints Program and, later in life, would form a special bond with the Alabama football team.
Every Thursday, Gary could be found chatting with current players after practice or catching up with Coach Nick Saban.
Following Gary’s passing, his family established the Walt Gary Scholarship in Special Education, which provides educational opportunities to UA students majoring in special education.
“Donating the money was a good thing to do,” Drake said. “Walt was very special to me.”
Gary was not just a pivotal person in Drake’s life, either. He touched the lives of countless people in the Tuscaloosa community and across the country. After his death and a touching post from sports broadcaster Rick Karle, #BeLikeWalt buttons and T-shirts began popping up all over the Druid City, serving as a reminder to preach kindness and positivity.
“We hope that Walt’s legacy will live on through the scholarship by providing an opportunity for special education teachers to encourage and educate other individuals with special needs,” said Betsy Gary, Walt’s mother and Drake’s grandmother, in 2019.
And thanks to Taylor Drake’s lemonade stand, that legacy will continue.
“This will give people money to help them go to Alabama,” Drake said. But, in true fashion to a 7-year-old, making a difference was not the only thing on Drake’s mind. For him, the best part of this endeavor was getting to drink the lemonade itself, which he assures to all future patrons, was “so good.”
