It’s moving week in our household. While we sort, pile, pack, and donate, enjoy the following repost from August, 2011!
Seven years ago this month, Alex Scott died at the age of eight years old. This brave little girl was the founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, raising money to support childhood cancer research.
Alex was diagnosed with cancer before her first birthday. Her entire too-short life was filled with surgeries, treatments, and countless trips to the hospital. After one such trip for a stem cell transplant after her fourth birthday, Alex declared that she wanted to open a lemonade stand to raise money so the doctors could help other kids, too. Her first lemonade stand raised $2000.
By the time Alex passed away in August 2004, she and others raised over a million dollars, “one cup at a time.” The inspiration of Alex’s delightful attitude and her mission to help others lives on today, with over $45 million raised in total, funding more than 200 projects at 50 institutions.
If you’re looking for something to inspire your kids as summer winds down, why not encourage them to host a lemonade stand to celebrate Alex’s birthday?
The Foundation website includes instructions to help you make it a success. Get the kids brains working again before school starts! The can read about Alex, plan the event, use their artistic skills to make signs and posters, prepare a mini-budget and help shop for supplies, follow directions to prepare the lemonade, and use their math skills to count the donations.
What a great way for parents and caregivers to help children develop concern for their fellow human beings. Families can also talk about the importance of compassion as the children head back to school. Instead of staring or even poking fun at children with no hair, who may not be able to walk, or who have to take special medications in school, children can learn that those children may be struggling with a serious health issue.
Alex’s lessons can be shared in so many ways!
Lemonade stands aren’t just for children, either. Adults can host a stand, maybe in connection with your first tailgate event or at your workplace. Young Professionals can join the Lemon Society. You can host a virtual fundraiser, too. The Foundation also gives ideas about many other events you can host or join to raise money for this cause.
At the very least, you can simply donate here.
Doesn’t a glass of ice lemonade sound good in the middle of this summer’s heat wave? Why not use it to do some good, too?
Before giving money to any organization, you should always research how that money is being used. Charity Navigator is a great resource and it rates Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation with four stars.
