Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Declares June the Month to Join Childhood Cancer Fight

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Just in time for the summer and "lemonade season," Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is inviting supporters everywhere to join the fight against childhood cancer throughout June. Whether it's hosting an Alex's Lemonade Stand during the Foundation's national fundraising event, Lemonade Days (June 7-9), supporting the Foundation through visiting one of its sponsor fundraisers, or simply showing support through social media outlets, ALSF is on a mission to raise millions of dollars to help find a cure for all kids' cancer.

National Lemonade Days

From Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9, thousands of volunteers will host Alex's Lemonade Stands from coast to coast during National Lemonade Days in an effort to raise $1 million for the kids' cancer fight. Utilizing founder Alex Scott's original fundraising idea, the stands will provide a fun and easy way for supporters of all ages to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer while learning the important lesson of giving back.

In 2013, chefs and moms Melissa d'Arabian and Alex Guarnaschelli will lend their support by providing kid-friendly recipes and tips to volunteers who sign up to host a stand during the three day fundraising initiative. The recipes will be included in kits sent to volunteers, while supplies last.

For those not able to host a lemonade stand, ALSF's website allows visitors to search for events by zip code, event name, or host name: www.AlexsLemonade.org/search/alex_search

Sponsors Show Their Support

Several ALSF sponsors will host fundraisers of their own throughout the month of June providing supporters across the country with alternative ways to get involved.

A&P – From Friday, June 28 through Sunday, July 7, all A&P locations will sell paper lemons to raise funds for ALSF.

A.C. Moore – On Wednesday, June 26, to kick off their free summer fun craft program, all 139 A.C. Moore stores along the East Coast will offer a summer fun tote bag project to benefit ALSF. Bags will be available for $1 and supplies to decorate will be provided. Paper lemons will also be available for donation. Held every Wednesday between June 26 & August 14, the program offers free craft activities from 1-3pm for children ages 4 – 12.

Applebee's – The Rose Group (Applebee's franchisee) will host the 7th annual charity classic at Talamore Country Club to benefit ALSF on Monday, June 10. The golf outing will act as a preview to nearly 700 participating Applebee's restaurants nationwide selling paper lemons and/or donating a portion of the sales from each lemonade sold (all varieties) through their Summer Squeeze promotion from July 1-28.

Country Time – As part of their Great American Lemonade Stand-tacular, Country Time Lemonade will invite stand hosts across the country to upload photos of their stands to the Country Time Facebook page. For each photo that is uploaded, Country Time will donate $5, up to $50,000, to ALSF.

Just Born Quality Confections – In 2013, PEEPS® Brand candies added PEEPS® Sweet Lemonade flavored Marshmallow Chicks to Just Born's support for ALSF.  The PEEPS® join MIKE AND IKE® Lemonade Blends®, contributing a portion of the proceeds to the Foundation.

QVC – QVC and premier jewelry designer Honora have teamed up to benefit ALSF through the creation of a special Honora bracelet, which is scheduled to launch on QVC^® Thursday, June 6.  Together, Honora and QVC will donate 25% of the QVC sale price of each bracelet sold, while supplies last, to ALSF.  Shoppers are encouraged to visit QVC.com to order this special piece. 

Rita's Italian Ice – From June 5 - 18, Rita's guests will have the opportunity to purchase a paper lemon through a $1 donation. New this year, the contributions will benefit the newly established Rita's Fund of Hope, a permanently endowed fund to ensure that the travel needs of families with children battling cancer are met.

Teleflora – Beginning in April and spanning through September, Teleflora will offer customers the opportunity to purchase floral bouquets from the Sunny Day Pitcher Collection in support of ALSF. For each Sunny Day Pitcher bouquet sold at teleflora.com, 10% of the revenue will be donated to the Foundation.

Toys"R"Us – For the third consecutive year, Toys"R"Us is hosting a two-month, in-store and online fundraising and awareness campaign benefiting ALSF. From Saturday, June 1 – Wednesday, July 31, customers can make donations at all Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online. This year, Toys"R"Us kicked off the campaign with a Lemon Smiles Challenge, a social media program that encourages its Facebook fans and Twitter followers to show support for ALSF by sharing photos of themselves smiling while biting into a lemon slice.

Volvo Cars of North America – Volvo will have a presence at Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where they will draw the raffle winner for a brand new Volvo XC60. All proceeds will be donated to ALSF. Additionally, with the purchase of every new Volvo, participating Volvo retailers will donate $10 to ALSF.

Williams-Sonoma – Williams-Sonoma is supporting ALSF through their recent introduction of Alex's Lemonade Stand lemonade concentrate. The classic blend of bright, tangy lemon juice and sugar makes refreshing lemonade, and 20% of the proceeds will benefit the Foundation.  

About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation:

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, ALSF has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, ALSF, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $60 million toward fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 300 pediatric cancer research projects nationally.

SOURCE Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation