WEST FARGO, ND — A West Fargo police detective who has spent more than 20 years serving his community got an unexpected show of support from a group of young neighbors over the weekend. Detective Miles Orth, who grew up in Horace, stopped by a lemonade stand set up to help him and his family as he battles stage four prostate cancer.
The fundraiser took place Saturday, Oct. 17, after a neighbor’s bake-sale idea turned into something more personal. Seth Dye and his daughters decided the stand should benefit Orth, with every cup tied to a freewill donation for the detective’s family.
Orth said he did not expect that kind of response. The gesture, he said, meant a great deal coming from children who were thinking about helping others at such a young age.
A bake sale plan turned into a fundraiser for Orth
The effort started when a neighbor was planning a bake sale and asked the Dye family to take part. Instead of simply joining in, the girls wanted the stand to support someone facing a real need. Their family had been following Orth’s story, and the children wanted to turn the event into a way to give back.
Seth Dye said being a parent helped him understand why the cause mattered. He said it goes a long way when people show they are willing to support someone going through a difficult time, especially when children are involved in that act of kindness.
That decision changed the stand from a neighborhood activity into a fundraiser with a clear purpose. Every donation collected went toward Orth and his family, who are dealing with the costs that come with cancer treatment.
Orth sees his community step up around him
Orth eventually made his way to the stand himself, where he saw the fundraiser firsthand. He said it was not something he expected, but it was moving to watch people rally around him in that way. The visit gave him a chance to see support coming from neighbors, families and even first responders.
Three squad cars and firefighters also showed up, adding to the sense that the community was surrounding him. For Orth, who has spent years helping others in uniform, the turnout represented a return of that support in a deeply personal moment.
He described the children’s effort as especially meaningful because it showed they were already learning how to think about helping other people. That kind of generosity, he said, was impressive to see from such young children.
The girls say helping someone else felt meaningful
For Savvy and Kate, the fundraiser was about more than selling drinks. The girls said it felt good to know they were helping someone and taking part in something larger than themselves. Their comments reflected the simple idea behind the stand: a small local effort could make a real difference.
The family said the goal was to help with expenses that can quickly add up during cancer treatment. The money raised was meant to go toward medical bills, travel connected to care and ordinary family costs that continue even when someone is sick.
That practical support mattered because Orth’s diagnosis affects not only his health but also the routines and finances of his household. The lemonade stand gave neighbors a direct way to contribute while also showing Orth that he was not facing the challenge alone.
More than eight hundred dollars was collected at the stand
The Saturday fundraiser brought in more than $800. For a neighborhood stand run by school-age children, the total reflected strong support from the people who stopped by and contributed. The money will help offset the costs Orth and his family are carrying during treatment.
The effort also showed how quickly a small idea can grow when a community responds. What began as a neighborhood bake-sale plan became a meaningful benefit for a local officer known for serving others for more than two decades.
Orth’s situation has prompted multiple forms of support, and this fundraiser added one more example of how residents can step in when a local family needs help. The response from the stand was immediate, personal and rooted in the neighborhood around him.
Another benefit is planned for November in Horace
The lemonade stand was not the only effort planned to help Orth. A separate Miles of Strength benefit is scheduled for Nov. 13 at the Horace Senior Center. Organizers plan to include a spaghetti feed, silent auction and raffle as part of the event.
Orth is also being supported online through a Lend A Hand Up page. That gives people another way to contribute beyond the in-person fundraiser, especially if they cannot attend the November event.
Together, the different efforts show how Orth’s neighbors and supporters are mobilizing around him as he continues treatment. For a detective who has spent more than 20 years helping others, the response has offered a visible reminder of how much the community values his service.