Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Hosts National Fundraising Weekend, Declares June the Month to Join Battle Against Childhood Cancer

WYNNEWOOD, Pa., June 2, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just in time for the summer and "lemonade season," Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is inviting volunteers across the country to join the battle against childhood cancer in June. Whether it's hosting an Alex's Lemonade Stand during the foundation's national fundraising weekend, Lemonade Days (June 10-12, 2011), supporting the foundation through visiting one of its many sponsor fundraisers, or attending one of the foundation's signature events, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is on a mission to raise millions of dollars for childhood cancer throughout the month of June.

Lemonade Days

From Friday, June 10 – Sunday, June 12, thousands of volunteers will host Alex's Lemonade Stands from coast to coast during National Lemonade Days weekend. Evolving from Alexandra "Alex" Scott's mission to raise $1 million in 2004, over 10,000 volunteers will hold 2,000 lemonade stands spanning from small towns to large metropolitan areas during this fundraising weekend. Utilizing Alex's original fundraising idea, these lemonade stands will provide a fun and easy way for children, family, friends, businesses and organizations to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer while learning the important lesson of giving back.

For those who won't be hosting a lemonade stand, the Foundation'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 Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation sponsors will host fundraisers of their own throughout the month of June providing supporters across the country another way to get involved.

A& P Supermarkets – over 350 supermarkets will host Alex's Lemonade Stands during Lemonade Days, June 10-12, 2011.

Applebee's – The Rose Group will host the 5th annual charity classic at Talamore Country Club to benefit ALSF on Monday, June 13, 2011. The golf outing will act as a preview to Applebee's fundraising drive for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which will take place in July of 2011.

CBS3 – Along with hosting a telethon in Philadelphia, CBS3's documentary "Alex Scott: A Stand for Hope" will air in several markets across the country.

CMS Bakery Products – CMS will once again partner with more than 10 grocery stores nationwide to support ALSF through the sale of lemon flavored products. Stores will raise awareness through specially marked bakery goods with CMS donating a portion from the products sold.

Five Below – Five Below will sell 11,000 limited-edition, ALSF-branded Five Below gift cards designed to raise up to $55,000 for ALSF's fight against childhood cancer. The gift cards, sold in $5 denominations, are available at all 163 Five Below locations while supplies last. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to ALSF for a total contribution of up to $55,000.

Rita's Water Ice - from June 1 through June 30, Rita's guests will have the opportunity to purchase a paper lemon through a $1 donation. The lemons will be displayed on a "Wall of Hope," a visual tribute to the community's participation in the fundraiser.

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

Toys"R"Us - Toys"R"Us will host an eight-week, in-store and online fundraising and awareness campaign benefitting ALSF. From Monday, June 1 through Sunday, July 31, customers can make donations at all Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide and online. Additionally, on June 25, all Toys"R"Us stores will host in-store events from 12-3pm, providing kids and families with the opportunity to make donations and receive information about how they can get involved. Children who attend the event will enjoy coloring their own lemonade stand sign, and can take home a pledge to review with their parents that offers step-by-step instructions on how to set up their own official Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Volvo Cars of North America – 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. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to ALSF. Additionally, the NETS Basketball Team has partnered with Volvo to auction off a hood of a Volvo that has been graciously signed by over 50 current NBA players to benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Visit www.steinersports.com for more information.

Foundation Special Events

ALSF supporters in the Philadelphia area or those with travel aspirations are encouraged to attend Alex's "Original" Lemonade Stand on Saturday, June 11. Family, friends, community leaders and local celebrities will come together for a fun-filled day of remembrance at the elementary school that Alex attended, Penn Wynne.

For the first time in 2011, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation will partner with the Philadelphia Eagles to host the Camp Out For Kids' Cancer at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, June 11- Sunday, June 12, 2011. The event will give supporters of ALSF and Eagles fans the unique opportunity to spend a night under the stars while relishing in camping & football fun.

Also taking place in Philadelphia, the 6th Annual Great Chefs Event on June 14, 2011, when culinary stars will converge at the Urban Outfitters Headquarters in the Navy Yard to cook for childhood cancer cures. Among the famous faces featured at the event: Iron Chef Jose Garces, Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio and contestant Jennifer Carroll.

In other event news, the foundation will unite pediatric cancer patients and families at the third annual Childhood Cancer Symposium on June 18, 2011 in Philadelphia. The free event is designed as an educational resource for all families touched by childhood cancer; those whose children are survivors, are still fighting the disease, or have passed away.

Foundation Awards First Grants of 2011

ALSF recently announced the awarding of nearly $4 million in new medical research grants, extending to 29 institutions and universities in 16 states across the country, totaling 40 new grants. For the first time in 2011, the Foundation, which started with the front yard lemonade crusade of Alexandra "Alex" Scott, will release grants to medical students as well as doctors and researchers at the leading hospitals and institutions nationwide.

For more information on Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, upcoming fundraising events and our grants program, visit www.AlexsLemonade.org

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 raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $40 million towards fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 200 pediatric cancer research projects nationally.

About Lemonade Days:

Founded by Alex Scott (1996-2004) in 2004, Lemonade Days is a three day national event that grew out of Alex's front yard lemonade stand, and is held every year over the same June weekend. During Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex's Lemonade Stands across the country, raising over $1 million for childhood cancer research in one weekend. June 2011 will mark the 8th Annual Lemonade Days with an estimated 10,000 volunteers at over 2,000 Alex's Lemonade Stands around the nation making a difference for children with cancer. Lemonade Days 2011 is set for June 10, 11 and 12! 

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