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June 9, 2006
Alex's Lemonade Stand Keeps Going
I'm just going to re-print this one verbatim and the heck with the copyright. One article shows the stupidity of some boards and the hearts of some children:
"The girls made national headlines after they saw 7-year-old Alexandra Scott, who had cancer, on the Today Show with Matt Lauer. Alex, as she was called, told of how she had set up a lemonade stand and was encouraging others to do so in order to donate all the funds to pediatric cancer research.
Kara and Breanne, who were visiting their grandmother in Florida, decided to set up shop outdoors on the Seven Springs Villa condominium property in New Port Richey, where they were staying. It wasn't long, however, before a staff member informed them that they were breaking condo rules regarding soliciting. Kara's mother, Annette, said she put a sign on the table that read, "God save those that lack compassion," and took the girls to the beach. When they came back, they were swarmed with media. Some of the residents had called the press because they were disgusted with what had happened.
"We didn't know what to think," said Kara. Annette said the girls were scared because they thought they had violated a law. But soon they found themselves holding an Alex's lemonade sale during a live radio broadcast with a Florida on-air personality, the first of several such events. One of the normally 25-cent cups went for $500. The brouhaha made what happened to the girls the subject of national opinion columns, including one in the Washington Post, as well as a political cartoon. Annette said all the way home, the phone was ringing with media inquiries, but the call they most cherished - and still do - is one placed by the Alex's parents from Pennsylvania. They asked if the girls would consider continuing their efforts back home in Michigan.
Since they are big University of Michigan (U/M) sports boosters, they thought they might be able to do something there to support pediatric cancer research, but still were quite surprised when Lloyd Carr, who coaches the Wolverine's football team, invited the girls to sell their lemonade as part of a charity car wash the players hold each year to benefit the construction of a new Mott's Children's Hospital. This Saturday, June 10, the girls will conduct business for Alex's Lemonade Stand at both a private charity function in the morning and the public car wash in the afternoon. Tecumseh's Dance Step Studio and the McDonald's Corporation help sponsor the stand. They already have a commitment of $100,000 from the Philadelphia Foundation who will send a check for pediatric cancer research to the University of Michigan this year. They sent $72,000 last year. Annette said it is the organization's biggest grant and she and the girls are thrilled that the funds are going to further Alex's dream.
The little girl passed away in 2004, but not before Kara and Breanne got to speak with her. They said they talked with Alex about what it's like to be a child who has cancer. Alex's dream, since she was four years old, was to donate money to help doctors find a cure for all kids with cancer, something she had battled since before her first birthday. Kara, a Tecumseh Middle School student who enjoys dance, cheerleading and swimming, said she also talked with Alex about things like Barbie dolls and asked the color of her eyes and other details. "She wanted to be a fashion designer when she grew up," she said. Breanne, who is athletic and was on the Madison School boys football team, but will be attending Tecumseh Middle School next year, asked her favorite sport: soccer. Alex's family was planning a trip to Michigan to meet the girls, but then she passed away before it could come about.
The girls say the fundraising is rewarding and fun and they have learned a lot. "We're getting to help out a lot and we see the football players and talk to the people involved while raising money for cancer research," said Kara.
Annette said watching the girls lifts her heart and she keeps thinking, "The power of kids," because they have overcome adversity to continue their task, and holding the events involves a lot of work, which they do themselves. On top of the Florida incident, Kara lost her dad, Bradley, known as "Skeeter," shortly afterward. Breanne was shot in the leg while hiding in a closet during a domestic incident several years ago in which an aunt and uncle were killed in Adrian. Annette is amazed at their resiliency - and Alex's inspiration which has fostered more than 1,100 stands set up in the U.S. each year with funds benefiting her foundation. The girls' scrapbook full of news clippings includes a verse from Isaiah 11:16 which reads, "A little child shall lead them," and that's certainly true in this case. Kara and Breanne consider their commitment a labor of love and say they have learned a lot.
"You don't always hear about children with cancer because many of them are dying," said Kara. "We have learned that anyone can help."
Breanne said, "We learned that it doesn't just take adults to help out, kids can, too." And they are doing just that - fighting childhood cancer one cup at a time.
For more information visit www.alexslemonade.com. To make a donation to Kara's and Breanne's stand, send checks to 804 Waskin, Tecumseh, MI 49286 with "Alex's Lemonade Stand" on the check."
From the Tecumseh Herald, June 9, 2006
Posted by joewest at June 9, 2006 11:52 AM