Lemonade stands raise far more than expected
06/13/2008
By Brett Dalton
Meeting expectations is one thing. Exceeding them is another.
But absolutely crushing them is something to celebrate — hence the chronic good mood of the Mozer family of Blue Springs and everyone else in the Kansas City area who helped make last weekend’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand for childhood cancer research a smashing success.
The two-day event, which took place on June 6 and 7 at all 25 Hy-Vee stores in the metro area, raised more than $120,000, which also includes online contributions that are still rolling in, according to Cheryl Mozer. That amount far surpasses the original goal of raising $85,000.
“I guess we should have set a higher goal,” said Nick Mozer, 13, who helped bring Alex’s Lemonade Stand to the Kansas City area and whose younger brother, Jacob, is a cancer survivor.
Cheryl Mozer, Nick and Jacob’s mother, said she is thrilled with the outcome of the annual event.
“We really did exceed our expectations,” she said. “Everyone is so excited. It’s just a great feeling right now. We just want to thank everyone for coming out.”
Lee’s Summit played a big role in raising money for cancer research. According to Cheryl Mozer, the Hy-Vee store at 301 N.E. Rice Road raised more than $5,900, the fourth highest total throughout the metro area. The Hy-Vee at 310 S.W. Ward Road pitched in with more than $3,600.
When he helped include Kansas City in the national Alex’s Lemonade Stand event, Nick Mozer said he wanted to be “the voice” for young cancer patients. His goal was to raise some money and awareness about childhood cancer.
“We never imagined it getting this big,” Nick said.
All the money raised last weekend and online will stay in the Kansas City area, and Cheryl said they are in discussion with Children’s Mercy to determine which research projects would benefit most from the event’s proceeds.
“We appreciate all of the donations to help our local cancer researchers find a cure,” she said.
Children’s Mercy played a big role in last weekend’s event, Cheryl said, as five nurses led stands throughout the area and 17 others volunteered their time and effort.
“We can’t say how much we appreciate Children’s Mercy jumping in and helping to make a big difference,” Cheryl said.
Jennifer Joplin, an oncology nurse at Children’s Mercy who cared for Jacob Mozer when he was in the hospital, said it’s important to raise money for childhood cancer research, as much is still being learned about how to treat the dangerous illness.
“Childhood cancer is one of the major causes of childhood death,” Joplin said. “Huge strides have been made in the treatment and cure of childhood cancer all through the progress of research. Many lives have been saved and many more years together have been given to children and their families through cancer research.”
The event was not set up as a competition between the various stores, but if it was, the Blue Springs Hy-Vee definitely won the day, totaling more than $11,000 in donations. Located at 601 W. U.S. 40, the Blue Springs location also featured a dunk tank with several volunteers stepping up to get soaked for a good cause.
Steve Bennett, grocery manager at the Blue Springs Hy-Vee, said he was excited to see so many people come out to the store and donate to the noble fundraiser.
“It’s real good to see everyone come give to such a good, charitable event,” he said. “It shows there is still a bunch of caring people out there. Gas prices are up — well the price of everything is up — but they still came out and gave their time and money for this. That’s pretty special.”
The local event was part of a national campaign started eight years ago in Philadelphia by Alexandra “Alex” Scott and her family. Alex Scott, who died of neuroblastoma in 2004 at the age of 8, had the idea to sell lemonade to raise money for young cancer patients. The first stand was operated out of her family’s front yard, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand has since spread across the country and has raised more than $18 million for cancer research.
Cheryl Mozer said of all the regions throughout the United States that take part in the annual event, the Kansas City area consistently finishes second in money raised behind Alex Scott’s hometown and surrounding communities.
Nick Mozer has setup and maintains several Web sites offering information about neuroblastoma, as well as opportunities to donate money online. Those Web sites include:
www.jacobscancerpage.zoomshare.com,
www.firstgiving.com/kclemonadestands,
www.myspace.com/kclemonadestands
and
www.youtube.com/kclemonadestands.
Mozer also is involved with SuperSibs!, a program to support siblings of children with cancer. Information about SuperSibs can be found on its Web site, www.supersibs.org.