By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
On a sultry summer day Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill patrons and passersby were offered lemonade to cool down and help raise funds to cure childhood cancer.
Continuing a tradition that started in 2000, Christine Volz, of Hightstown, her mother Theresa, and best friend Jenna Spatz, also of Hightstown, recruited friends, firefighters and Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill staff members to sell lemonade in front of the East Windsor eatery on Monday to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
As the temperature rose to the mid 90s and the sun beat down on the lemonade stand, the organizers just had to think of all of the children who can’t go outside because they are being treated for cancer in a hospital for motivation.
“It’s unfortunate when they are told they have to stay inside when they are sick,” Ms. Spatz said.
Theresa Volz said, “Thank you god that my kids are healthy enough to help,” adding that she is proud of her daughter.
Ms. Volz said she started organizing Alex’s Lemonade Stand when she worked at a local supermarket and now her daughter is helping to carry on the tradition that started 15 years ago when Alexandra “Alex” Scott envisioned a way to help find a cure for all children with cancer.
When Alex, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer just before her first birthday, was four, she told her parents she wanted to set up a front-yard lemonade stand. Her plan was to give the money she raised to doctors to help them find a cure. Her first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand,” held with the help of her older brother Patrick, raised $2,000 in one day.
While bravely fighting her own cancer, Alex continued to set up lemonade stands every year. As news spread of the girl so dedicated to helping other sick children, people everywhere were inspired to start their own lemonade stands — donating the proceeds to her cause.
In 2004 when Alex passed away at the age of eight her stand and inspiration had raised more than $1 million toward finding a cure for the disease that took her life. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by her parents in 2005 to continue the work that Alex began with a mission to raise money for and awareness of childhood cancer causes — especially research into new treatments and cures.
“When kids are not getting the medicine or the treatment that they need, there is something wrong with that. It’s about everyone doing their part and we’re happy to do it, “ Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill General Manager Kathy Vogel said.
Since Alex set up her first lemonade stand in 2000, the foundation raised more than $100 million, which has helped to fund more than 500 cutting-edge research projects, create a travel program to help support families of children receiving treatment and develop resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer.
Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill Manager Rob Onimus said, “It’s a good cause and we’re happy to do what we can to support the cause.”
For more information about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit www.alexslemonade.org.
