On Wednesday, June 1, Washington Elementary School held its 10th annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser in memory of Boyertown Area School District student Josh Gehman, who lost his battle with cancer in 2010. For the past 10 years, Washington Elementary School has sold lemonade and soft pretzels to the community, joining the fight against childhood cancer. Together, students and staff members raised $5,541, making their 10-year grand total $47,100.
Alex’s mother, Mrs. Liz Scott, stopped by to congratulate Washington Elementary School on their continued success through Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
“I want to say thank you to the students, to the parents, to the staff,” she said. “Your dedication to the cause puts you at the top of schools who support us nationwide. It takes a lot of work to raise that much money, literally one cup at a time.”
This year, students who participated in the first Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser as third grade students are now graduating seniors. Senior Riley Janiuk has participated in all 10 fundraisers.
“It is so important to do all that we can to support the fight against childhood cancer,” Riley said. “It has been amazing watching Washington Elementary School’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand grow and expand over the past 10 years. I am lucky to have grown up in a district that proactively supports those in need.”
This successful fundraiser is organized each year by Washington Elementary School instructional coach Mrs. Dana Kramaroff.
“There is nothing more amazing to me than our Washington Elementary School community coming together to do something wonderful for all children and families dealing with cancer,” Mrs. Kramaroff said. “The lessons our students learned about giving back to others will stay with them forever.”
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front-yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, four-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope.
