I am always amazed at the effect Alex's first lemonade stand has had on people. We literally meet people all the time in person or through email and snail mail that tell us that Alex's story and her lemonade stand has had an impact on them. Some even tell us how it has changed their life.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised then that people have made Alex's “Original” Lemonade Stand, the stand that started it all and is still held outside Alex's school the second Saturday of June, an event that they won't miss. There are of course people that attend every year from across the Philadelphia area - it is a chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.
This is an event that has grown over the years - it eventually outgrew our front yard, causing gridlock on our neighborhood streets. So, in 2004 we moved it to the local school, Penn Wynne Elementary. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers put together an awesome event for the thousands of people that come out for the day.
The first time I realized that Alex's “Original” was becoming a destination for people was in 2003. In the pouring rain, some people stayed in our yard all day to take in the atmosphere and absorb the movement that was starting. Over the years, we've had college students take a road trip from Virginia to attend. There's also been a family that has supported ALSF for years email us because they wanted to volunteer at Alex's “Original” Lemonade Stand. The catch was they were driving in from North Dakota to volunteer and take in the event. We even had someone come in from Japan to attend the event in 2005!
I wonder what surprise visitors are in store for this year. My mother always wanted to experience it, unfortunately cancer took her life last August. I already know that Alex's grandfather (my father) from Connecticut will make the trek for the first time in 2011, I am sure he will be thinking about Alex and my mother.
So if you come out to Alex's “Original” on Saturday, June 11, be sure to say hello. If you can't make it then check out the event on our website, where we hope to stream it live!
What is the furthest trip you have made to attend an event?
- Jay Scott
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For years we purchased products that supported Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. We bought lemonade at stands, Rita's Italian Ice named for Alex. We knew this was an important, worthy cause.
ReplyDeleteThen last November my 2 year old grandson Nathaniel was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. He was operated on a week before Christmas. His mom, my daughter Jessica, was at the beginning of her 9th month of pregnancy Surgery went much better than the doctors anticipated. A month later we received the amazing news that Nathaniel's neuroblastoma had matured and had become benign. I pray that research will find out how that happens and how to use that knowledge to help other children.
We decided to have a "little" lemonade stand. Thanks to the support of our community our "little stand" has turned into a 3 day event at our local baseball stadium. Our mayor has issued a proclamation naming this "Bubby and the Barnstormers Alex's Lemonade Stand Weekend." Bubby is my grandson and the Barnstormers is the team that is helping us to raise money to help you find ways to strike out childhood cancer.
I so admire how you have continued your daughter's dream. Your family is in our prayers.
with love and respect
Susan Costley
Lancaster PA