A Pond Tour for the Cure

Six companies in the Delaware Valley area, Aqua Scapes of the Delaware Valley, Aquatic Connections, Cedar Run Landscapes, James Ponds, Laurel Oak, & Splash of Nature sponsored their first Pond Tour to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). The Tour, entitled ‘Alex’s Lemonade Pond Tour…A Tour for the Cure’ was held on Saturday, August 1, 2009.

The purpose of a Pond Tour is to provide an opportunity for watergarden enthusiasts/hobbyists, as well as novices to the industry, to travel around and visit waterfeatures (be they a pond or pondless waterfall) and enjoy the beauty, tranquility and serenity of each unique feature. There were 24 features showcased on this tour. A modest fee was assessed to take the tour; 100% of which were donated to ALSF. Approximately 200 people participated in this inaugural event. One tour was held in Pennsylvania and the second in New Jersey. Between participants as well as individual & corporate sponsors, we are thrilled to say that we raised over $8,000 for Alex. A sincere “thank you” is extended to everyone who participated.

Toast The Host Party from Lentzcaping on Vimeo.

The feedback from tour-goers and tour hosts has been overwhelmingly positive. Many are looking forward to next year’s event, which promises to be bigger and better. During the tour, we also ran 8 Alex’s Lemonade Stands to assist in our fundraising efforts. Kids volunteered their time to operate these stands. We are grateful for their contributions, as they are a credit to their communities.

To show our appreciation to the homeowners who opened up their backyard and, in some instances, their front yard oasis, we conducted a “Toast the Host” party this past Saturday, August 8 at Lentzcaping’s headquarters in Warrington, PA. During this event, we were honored to present Liz & Jay Scott, Alex’s parents, with our ceremonial check representing the Pond Tour’s proceeds. We were equally honored and blessed to have as our special guest, Felicia Frugoli, a 4-year-old little girl who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 3. We were happy to learn that Felicia is currently in remission from this dreaded disease.

It is Felicia, and children like her, that our group has passionately dedicated ourselves to, in order to continue the growth of Alex’s legacy of community involvement and “giving-back.” When you have the opportunity to experience firsthand the success being realized globally due to foundations like ALSF, and to see the difference their efforts can make in a child’s life, it is easy to want to get involved. Our group is committed to our support of this cause, as we look to take our efforts to new heights in the future.

Our goal is to be the #1 volunteer fundraiser/supporter of ALSF. We even expect to challenge some of the larger corporate supporters. The true reality--anyone who aligns themselves with ALSF and its cause to rid the world of pediatric cancer is #1. We (Al Lentz, George Mihalchick, Alden Zove, Diane Baker, Guy Scott, Brent Ludlow and me, Jerry Lister) invite you all “to dare to make a difference.” Our kids are depending on us...lets deliver for them!!!

(Stay tuned for next year!!!)

- Jerry Lister