If our schedules are any indication, the busy time of the year - “lemonade season” - is certainly upon us. Last Saturday, May 1, Jay and I attended two separate kick-off events for The Rose Group’s May fundraising campaign for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The Rose Group is a local franchisee of Applebee’s restaurants, and this year’s fundraising campaign, which will take place throughout the entire month of May, kicked-off with $5 pancake breakfasts at all 59 restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

I went to the Havertown Applebee’s with two of Alex’s brothers, Eddie and Joey, and was joined by one of our wonderful staff members and two of her children. It was apparent when we pulled up that we were in the right place, there was an Alex’s Lemonade Stand outside, all of the windows were Alex’s themed, and there seemed to be a sea of Alex’s gear. We enjoyed the pancakes, had the opportunity to meet some of our supporters, and were even treated to a performance by a magician. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, and judging by the attendance that day, this fundraiser is sure to be a huge success.

While I was in Havertown, Jay was in Center City Philadelphia with a couple of very special guests. While Jay was enjoying his pancakes, Mayor Michael Nutter and District Attorney Seth Williams were serving flapjacks to those in attendance. The restaurant was equally packed and Mayor Nutter even spoke to the crowd about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the importance of supporting local organizations like ours. How cool to have the support of the Mayor, and for him to join us to talk to the ALSF community was wonderful.



Overall, it was a fun and exciting morning and reminded us of how important all of our supporters are, including our sponsors. Throughout the month of May, the 59 Applebee’s restaurants will continue to raise funds for ALSF by selling paper lemons for $5 which will in turn provide patrons with a $5 off a "Carside-to-go" order, and with each purchase of lemonade, $0.25 per cup will go to ALSF.

We are pleased to report that in the first weekend alone, The Rose Group Applebee’s raised over $35,000! What a great way to kick off lemonade season! We are well on our way, and looking forward to more events and lemonade stands throughout the summer months.

- Liz Scott, Alex's mom