Isabella King and her best friend Sabrina Cordell are running a lemonade stand to raise money for Smudge, a beloved kitten fighting for his life. The lemonade stand fundraiser, set up diagonally across from JFK Elementary, is part of a heartfelt grassroots effort to support Isabella’s brother, Ray, whose bond with Smudge runs deeper than most pet-owner relationships.
Ray’s mother, Ashley Ingersoll, shared with Small Town Post that Smudge has helped her son through some of his hardest moments.
“Smudge is Ray’s best friend. Ray looks forward to coming home to him every day,” she said. “He’s Ray’s little shadow and helps with his anxiety.”
Smudge has been with Ray since he was found by his friend Marley — a moment that sparked a special bond between the kitten and the two friends. Marley is also part of the team trying to help save Smudge, and her name is included in the GoFundMe campaign as a show of their shared effort.
When Smudge suddenly became lethargic and his belly began to swell, the family rushed him to MSPCA in Boston, where they learned he may have FIP — a potentially fatal condition requiring urgent, costly treatment. With $2,000 approved through CareCredit, they still face a $4,000 shortfall for hospital care.
That’s when Isabella and Sabrina decided to act. The lemonade stand fundraiser was entirely their idea, and they’ve been out selling cups of cheer to raise every dollar they can.
“They’re going to be out as much as they can to raise the money,” Ashley said. “We appreciate any help anyone can give.”
The response from the community has already been uplifting, with passersby stopping to donate, offer encouragement, or simply support two young girls doing something good.
Community Update – July 30
Support for Smudge keeps spreading! On July 30, Kristie Zincone shared a new neighborhood effort happening at the corner of Farm Street and Glenside Drive in Blackstone, where more young friends have stepped in to help raise funds for Smudge’s urgent care.
This stand is run by Jasmine Zincone and Bryson Huffaker, friends of Isabella, with support from Kellan Rodrick. They’re offering fruit punch, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and Oreos — and they even got a visit from Captain, the Blackstone Police Department’s beloved comfort dog.
Another small-town act of kindness — one cookie and cup of punch at a time.
How You Can Help
If you’d like to contribute, there are a couple of easy ways to support the fundraiser.
Donate directly to the GoFundMe for Ray and Marley’s effort to save Smudge:
Prefer Venmo? You can also send “virtual lemons” to the girls’ cause by donating to Ashley’s account:
@Ashley-Ingersoll-4
Or stop by one of the kids’ lemonade stand fundraisers — on Mendon Street across from JFK Elementary (hosted by Isabella King and Sabrina Cordell) or at the corner of Farm Street and Glenside Drive (run by Jasmine Zincone, Bryson Huffaker, and supported by Kellan Rodrick).
Whether it’s lemonade, cookies, or fruit punch, every dollar and kind word helps Smudge get the care he needs.
Small Town Post is proud to tell the stories that make our community special — stories like Isabella, Sabrina, Bryson, Jasmine, and Kellan, full of heart, hope, and hometown pride. We believe in celebrating the good around us — kids taking initiative, neighbors showing up, and pets who are more than just pets. If you have a local story like this to share — whether it’s a fundraiser, small act of kindness, or just someone making a difference — we’d love to hear it. And don’t forget to follow Small Town Post on Facebook for more uplifting local stories, community updates, and ways to stay connected with the heart of Blackstone and Millville.
Photos courtesy of the family.
Updated on July 30 10:45AM to add July 30 effort and correct pronouns.
