RIVER FOREST, Ill. — For more than two decades, River Forest residents who live on Bonnie Brae Place have made Sept. 11 a day of action instead of a day of sadness.

Teenagers are in charge of the annual LemonAid 9/11 fundraiser and work to create a family-friendly experience, with popcorn and baked goods.

“Where the kids and families on our block wanted to come together and support our community. So ever since every year on September 11th, we’ve had a lemonade stand and obviously it’s grown,” LemonAid co-chair Evie Wynn said.

The event features activities, live entertainment and ways to honor the lives lost.

“All of the families do a really good job of providing a fun day to celebrate and memorialize the people’s lives we lost,” 10-year-old Abby Roche said.

Those who attended the event were able to sign a flag to honor the names of the 2,977 victims killed in the attack.

All of the money raised will go to the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN) and the Youth Educational Mentoring Basketball Association (YEMBA). Since 2002, the fundraiser has raised over $500,000.