Hopatcong Kids Sell Lemonade for Childhood Cancer Charity

Hopatcong third-grader Amelia Doleshal poured the cup and looked at the pitcher.

"It's like we're running out of lemonade!" she said before handing off a cup to a classmate.

students spent much of Friday selling lemonade to other students, parents and teachers to raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand, a pediatric cancer charity. Each cup cost 25 cents, and the stand was open almost all day.

Teachers Alison Ibeceta and Danielle Kovach spearheaded the project, which they said was aimed at helping students realize "how lucky they are," Ibeceta said.

"We thought it was a great way for kids to learn about the difficulties for families and children and how kids their age have really big obstacles in their life," she said.

Kovach said the fundraiser got a great response.

"The entire school has been wonderful," said Kovach, the . "We've had donations for water, lemonade and cups. We've had kids donating and parents donating. It's been great."

But while the teachers hoped to raise money for the charity, they also wanted to find creative ways to teach kids, they said. Ibaceta said the pair took a cross-curricular approach to the event—the kids had to calculate how much money they hoped to raise and then write scripts and posters to advertise the event to other classes.

"I think they learned that even if your'e 8, 9 years old, you can still help others," said Ibaceta, who said the students had raised at least $38 by the morning.