Rita’s Water Ice is Sweetening Up Kids’ Lemonade Stands This June

Four local franchise locations have pledged to donate a tub of water ice to each child who registers to hold an Alex’s Lemonade Stand now through June 26.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by Alexandra Scott, of Wynnewood, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer before she turned 1. At the age of 4, she set up a front-yard lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer research. After Alex passed away in 2004, the foundation she inspired continues her legacy of raising funds in hopes of eradicating childhood cancer.

Kelly Griffin, marketing coordinator for the Royersford, , Phoenixville and North Coventry Rita’s locations said that franchise owner Bev McNutt came up with the idea to supplement Rita’s annual paper-lemon fundraiser campaign – in which patrons who donate $1 to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation sign their name on a paper lemon to be displayed at the store – by inviting children to join the fundraising effort.

“Each franchise participates in the corporate-sponsored Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation promotion of selling paper lemons,” Griffin said. “However, they are also able to complement that program with events of their own. We have offered small incentives in the past, and Bev thought it might be fun to do something bigger this year.”

The four local Rita’s locations will donate one tub of Alex’s Lemonade Ice – equivalent to 3 ½ gallons – as well as cups and spoons, to kids under the age of 18 who set up a lemonade stand (with their parents’ permission and supervision) and promote the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“Who doesn’t love Rita’s?” Griffin said. “We are hoping that offering water ice will be something that will set (kids’) stands apart from the average corner lemonade stand.”

“We hope a lot of kids will participate, to raise money and awareness of childhood cancer,” McNutt said. “I think the kids will feel good about themselves. It’s nice to teach them a sense of community and helping others.”

In addition, Rita’s will offer gift cards for the most creative stand, and the stand that collects the largest donation, Griffin said. Prizes will be awarded to winners at each location.

“We thought this would be a fun way to get kids involved in learning to give back, and to help them understand the importance their donation would have on those kids whoa re battling cancer,” Griffin said.

To register a lemonade stand, visit one of Rita’s locations Royersford, Collegeville, Phoenixville or North Coventry, and ask a “Treat Team” member for a registration form. The number of tubs Rita’s can donate on any given day is limited, so book your date early.

Rita’s will collect the lemonade stands’ donations, and turn them over in early July to the Rita’s corporate office, which will make one large donation to ALSF.

Last year, Rita’s franchises raised more than $525,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and, of course, the hope is that this year’s donation will exceed that.

 “We’re very much community-oriented,” McNutt said. “We’re all about helping others, that’s just what it’s about.”