From June 1—9, you’ll probably notice a lot of lemonade stands popping up around town at schools, businesses, or even just on front lawns. This is all part of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s “Lemonade Days,” which begin this weekend with a carnival event at Penn Wynne Elementary School.

 

Alex’s Lemonade Stand — based in Bala Cynwyd — began in 2000 when 4-year-old Alex Scott started her first lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. She had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma before her first birthday, and spent her whole life determined and hopeful to help kids like her battle cancer, and doctors to find a cure.

 

By the time of her death in 2004, Alex had raised $1 million and inspired her family, community, and countless others around the world to continue her cause.

 

While volunteers hold stands throughout the year, Lemonade Days is a nationwide push to get involved. After all, Alex started her own stand at just four years old, and one of the goals of Alex’s Lemonade Stand is to empower kids to give back — no matter how young they are or how small their stand is — “one cup at a time.”

Get Involved

You can register your stand online (so it can include a virtual fundraising component as well), and request a Stand Kit of materials for your fundraiser. If time is tight, you can also print materials like information sheets, coloring pages, and decorations for your big day. You can even connect with a stand liaison at the foundation who will give you tips for promoting and running your stand.

 

Around town, local businesses that have partnered with ALSF are also offering ways to celebrate Lemonade Days. Places like Rita’s Water Ice, ACME, and Five Below sell paper lemons that they post in the store so you can show your support. Participating Duck Donuts stores are encouraging guests to purchase an Alex’s Donut (lemon icing with blueberry drizzle), and will donate $1 per donut to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

 

You can also get crafty for a cause at AR Workshop, where you can make your own lemonade stand plank sign or kit, and AR will donate $10-$15 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

 

Here are two other ways to get involved this year:

Alex’s Original Lemonade Stand

June 1, 10 am — 3 pm

Penn Wynne Elementary School, 250 Haverford Road, Wynnewood

 

This signature event of Lemonade Days honors Alex and the movement she started.  Her family and friends have continued to hold her stand and celebrate her legacy at the school she attended: Penn Wynne Elementary School.

 

Over the years, it has evolved into a fabulous family fun carnival, complete with food, games and prizes, crafts, music, raffles, and even a butterfly release. It takes up the entire playground and parking lot, and has plenty of fun, as well as ways to honor and remember Alex and other kids like her.

 

Since 2005, this event has brought in over $1 million to fund childhood cancer research and programs that help support childhood heroes and their families. Food and games are donate-as-you-go, or you can purchase an “Alex’s All Access Pass”for $25, which includes all donations for activities, food, and a T-shirt (plus, $20 is tax deductible).

 

 

Great Chefs Event

June 8, 1 — 4 pm

Urban Outfitters HQ, 5000 S. Broad St., Philadelphia

 

This culinary event is hosted by Marc Vetri at the Urban Outfitters Headquarters in the Navy Yard, and features over 40 renowned chefs who will prepare amazing dishes and drinks for guests to sample. For 12 years, this was an adults-only weeknight evening affair, but last year, it was transformed into a family-friendly Saturday afternoon event, and it is even better! 

 

Kids age 12 and under get in free with an accompanying adult, and there will be a dedicated area to keep kids entertained with fun and games between tasting the food. Tickets are $195 for general admission; kids 12 and under do not require a ticket.

 

 

Photographs by Laura Swartz.