Rita’s Water Ice of Boyertown held their 10th annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand Head Shaving on Saturday, June 20 – raising nearly $5,000 from the head shaving proceeds alone.
From a fundraising standpoint, Parish and Brenda Stauffer, the owners of Boyertown Rita’s, say that this has been their most successful year yet. Throughout the past 10 years, the fundraiser has gotten endless support from community members. Liz and Jay Scott of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, parents of the late Alexandra Scott, showed up to participate in the fundraiser as they do almost every year.
In regards to the head shaving itself, the outcome this year could be described as truly inspiring. A young girl, age 8, shaved her head and donated the proceeds in honor of her sister who had passed away from childhood cancer. Other volunteeers included a group of young women who proudly shaved their heads to a short buzz cut and a young boy around the age of 3.
States over – in Little Rock, Ark. – the Stauffer’s son was contributing to the fundraiser as well. Via Skype, their son had his head shaven by a 14-year-old family friend who has been effected by cancer nearly his entire life.
The Stauffer’s explained how the head shaving portion of the fundraiser started 10 years ago in order to symbolize the children who have to lose their hair during cancer treatments. Due to the strong feedback from the community, it has been a tradition ever since.
For the past two years, they concluded the event with a balloon releasing ceremony. With this, participants have the opportunity to write heartfelt messages, attach them to a balloon, and send them into the sky all at once at the end of the night.
This year marks the 12th season that the Stauffers have been with Rita’s Water Ice, and they have high hopes for the future. Out of about 500 Rita’s stores in the area, Boyertown Rita’s has been able to raise about $135,000 in donations over the years. They are on a constant journey to raise funds for multiple causes, and hold about 35-40 other fundraisers per year at their franchise.
Seeing that Rita’s is such a strong participant with Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the Stauffers have full intentions on continuing this tradition for as long as possible.
