By Zanub Saeed
Rita's Italian Ice announced Friday that it will bring back its annual Paper Lemon Fundraising Campaign to support the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a national nonprofit organization out to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
The Italian Ice company, with over 550 stores in 19 states, said the press release issued by Rita's Franchise Company on Friday, will urge consumers who purchase iced foods at their stores starting from June 1st to donate an extra dollar to purchase a paper lemon to raise money for the charity. The lemons bought for the campaign, set to run through all of June, will be used to build a "Wall of Hope" to show support from customers towards the fight against cancer at each Rita's Ice location.
"We couldn't be more proud of our Rita's Franchisees and their Treat Team's efforts in raising funds and awareness for children battling cancer," Jonathan Fornaci, President, Rita's Italian Ice, stated for the press release. "This year we hope our Paper Lemon Fundraising Campaign raises even more money for the fight against childhood cancer."
Now in its seventh year of partnership with Rita's Italian Ice, the Alex Lemonade Stand Foundation was created and named after the late Alexandra "Alex" Scott, who lost her battle with cancer as a child. Thus, in honor of Scott, the lemon flavor ice available at Rita's Italian Ice was renamed "Alex's Lemonade."
In the past six years during the charity campaign's run, over $3 million was raised towards childhood cancer research, said the press release. The Paper Lemon Fundraising Campaign was recorded at bringing in well over half a million dollars during its 2011 run.
"We are continuously amazed by the ongoing support Rita's Franchise Company has provided to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation over the past six years," Jay Scott, Alex's father and Executive Director of ALSF, was quoted as stating for the press release. "By enlisting the support of their Guests, Rita's helps to continue our daughter's legacy and allows us to take strides toward finding a cure for all children with cancer."
