Rita’s Italian Ice announced that the company raised $451,000 in June for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF) during its signature paper lemon fundraiser. In the month of June for the past four years, Rita’s has collectively raised more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research, becoming the leading corporate fundraiser of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
From June 1 through June 30, more than 550 Rita’s locations participated in the company’s fourth consecutive fundraiser and sold paper lemons in $1 increments to Rita’s guests. All guests had the option to personalize their paper lemons, which were then displayed in the local store’s “Wall of Hope,” a visual tribute to the community’s participation in the fundraiser.
In 2006, Rita’s officially became a corporate partner of ALSF and implemented its unique paper lemon promotion to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research. In honor of the Foundation’s namesake, the late Alexandra “Alex” Scott, Rita’s renamed its Lemon ice flavor “Alex’s Lemonade.” Lemon, one of Rita’s two original flavor offerings when the company was established in 1984, is one of the company’s five most popular flavors.
“Rita’s franchise partners and Treat Team members inspire our guests year after year through this program, and together, they demonstrate how much they care deeply about children battling the trauma of cancer,” says Jim Rudolph, chairman and CEO of Rita’s Italian Ice. “I couldn’t be more proud of the continued commitment that Rita’s has in support of the ALSF mission, and how our guests, franchise partners, and Treat Team members raised $451,000 in only four weeks.”
“We are continuously amazed by the support Rita’s Franchise Company has shown Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in the battle against childhood cancer,” says Jay Scott, Alex’s father and executive director of ALSF. “By enlisting the support of their guests, Rita’s helps to continue our daughter’s legacy and allows us to take strides toward fulfilling her dream of a cure for all children touched by the disease.”
