by Adam Paris, ALSF

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation started because Alex believed so strongly in the power of kids helping kids. Whether it’s hitting a hole-in-one, challenging classes to a change war or cheering up SuperSibs, kids are thinking of creative ways to help the fight against childhood cancer. Here are five ways children across the country are making a difference:

1. Turning Sports Stats Into Research Dollars

Bella, an 8-year-old golfer in Illinois, is as driven to fight childhood cancer as she is to get pars on the golf course. After asking her parents about trying to help sick kids, they discovered the Champion for Kids with Cancer program, where any athlete can turn their sports accomplishments into research dollars. Now, Bella is using her budding golf career to support ALSF by accepting donations and pledges for every birdie and par she makes at tournaments. She even made custom ball markers to help raise awareness. Sign up to become a Champion for Kids with Cancer here.

2. Teach Kids About Kindness

Kids at Brook Park Early Learning Center in Lawrence, Indiana spent the school year learning all about the importance of kindness. Their teacher wanted to bring the lessons into reality, so they raised money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. They exceeded their lofty goal of $300 by raising $340 and hosting a Kindness Ball to celebrate their accomplishment. To top it off, a local police sergeant brought in $350 to add to their total and demonstrate how kindness can be repaid by others.

3. Start a Change War at School

Three elementary schools in New Jersey are reading The Lemonade War to build a community of young, enthusiastic readers. Meanwhile, everyone will be competing in a spare change war to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation while reading the inspirational book, Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand. Both books are ideal ways to integrate kids helping kids into the classroom and make a real impact for children fighting cancer. Here are several more ways to integrate ALSF into the classroom.

“Our 'One School One Book' initiative, here in Haddonfield, is all about building relationships within a community of readers. When we thought about ways we could build outside relationships that would coordinate with our book, The Lemonade War (a book about sibling relationships), we wanted to find an organization that would help our students to see how their actions could make a difference in the lives of others. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was the perfect relationship for us, connecting both with the subject of our book choice and our goals for students,”  Katy Roussous, Language Arts Specialist at Elizabeth Haddon School.

4. Honor Alex Scott’s Memory

Madalynn, who lost her mom to cancer, wanted to teach other kids about how they can make a difference. Every year, her school puts on a wax museum of legendary leaders with reports, posters and even students dressing up as their subjects. When Madalynn learned about Alex Scott’s story, she decided to focus on ALSF’s founder for her project. She told the whole class about Alex’s vision for a world without childhood cancer and inspired her friends to sell lemonade and raise over $1,000 to continue Alex’s legacy of leadership! Read more about Alex’s story.

5. Cheer Up Amazing SuperSibs

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it can be a difficult time for the whole family, especially siblings. Making sure they feel cared for is important and a Girl Scout troop from Exton, PA recently did just that. They created beautiful cards with animals drawings and quotes to inspire SuperSibs and remind them how loved they are! One card can go a long way towards making a sibling feel extra special! Find out how kids can sign up to become SuperSibs.