Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Makes a Difference in Northeast Ohio

Young kids often host their own lemonade stands to make money. It’s their first taste of the business world. But for Alexandra Scott, known as Alex, a lemonade stand was her way to give back and help others.

At the age of 4, Alex, a pediatric cancer patient, announced that she wanted to start a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. She had just received a stem cell transplant and she wanted to give the money to the doctors, so they could help other kids like they helped her.

And she did just that. Every summer she held a lemonade stand in her backyard. People heard about what she was doing and wanted to help. Alex’s Lemonade Stands began to pop up all over, and more than $1 million was raised in four years.

Although Alex passed away the summer of 2004, the tradition she started lives on.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) evolved into a national fundraising movement. Every year, thousands of volunteers across the country come together to serve lemonade and carry on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has raised more than $40 million toward Alex’s dream of finding a cure and has funded more than 150 research projects nationally.

Gillian Kocher, the publicist for ALSF, said Alex saw the bigger picture and through that she was able to inspire volunteers across the country to join her lemonade crusade.

Not only did Alex inspire people to join in the fight against childhood cancer, she brought people and communities together and showed them how one idea can make a difference.

Rick and Maureen Huscroft of Kent were the first to host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand in Northeast Ohio. Their stand has become known as the Grand Stand. Since 2005, when they hosted their first stand, the community stands have raised more that $90,000 for ALSF. 

“Every year, more and more people have joined our efforts, and this year we have the biggest participation yet with 19 stands,” Maureen said. “Our goal this year is to raise $25,000.”

The Huscrofts will host their stand on at 650 Beechmont Place, Kent, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m Saturday.

This year North Canton community members can also help in the fight against childhood cancer.

Francine Livezey, also a resident of Kent and a good friend of the Huscrofts, decided she wanted to help and she knew the perfect way — through her sister’s business, Mary Beth’s Plants (In addition to the North Canton location there are two more stores in Canton and Niles).

“I believe Alex’s Lemonade Stand brings the community together to help children in need,” Livezey said. “It shows a sense of the community working together to make a difference in the life of a child. It is helping those in need and showing how much we care for their child and their family.”

Mary Beth’s Plants will host their North Canton stand on June 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and fun givaways, in addition to lemonade. All proceeds go to ALSF. Mary Beth’s Plants will also donate $1 to ALSF for the purchase of one flat or hanging basket from the plant stand during the event (no limit).

“I am so compassionate for the children and families that are faced with cancer that I want to help them as much as possible,” said Mary Beth Battaglia-Besser, owner of Mary Beth's Plants.

“I also want to help raise awareness about pediatric cancer and the funding that Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation provides. My hope is that many of my customers will join me in supporting this great cause too.”

Anybody can host an Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Go to www.AlexsLemonade.org and register.

“Our volunteers are free to decide what kind of lemonade they would like to serve,” Kocher said. “Some certainly use a powdered mix, while others squeeze fresh lemons. We think the best tasting lemonade is the one served for a good cause.”

For more information here about other stands throughout Northeast Ohio.