THIRSTY FOR A CAUSE? TRY SOME VIRTUAL LEMONADE!
A first-of-its-kind virtual lemonade stand will raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
IRVINE, Calif. (June 25, 2008) - Is there any better cup of lemonade to buy than one that works to find a cure for pediatric cancer? The world's first virtual lemonade stand goes live tomorrow, selling very special cups of lemonade on behalf of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).
For only $1 each, anyone can purchase virtual cups of lemonade at the online lemonade stand, http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com/. To help spread the word about the important work that ALSF is doing, purchasers can share cups of lemonade from the stand - via email - with family and friends.
"Pediatric cancer affects the lives of far too many families in our country," said Doug Speck, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. "Our mission, as a founding sponsor of ALSF, has been bringing awareness to the cause and raising money to help these kids. Purchasing virtual cups of lemonade - and sharing them online - is simple, fun and it helps ALSF in a big way."
Volvo is kicking off the grand opening of the stand by purchasing the first 200,000 cups. One hundred percent of the virtual lemonade stand proceeds go to ALSF.
Cups of lemonade purchased at http://www.lemonadestandforlife.com/ between June 25 and July 31, 2008, will help find a cure for pediatric cancer and even save Volvo owners money on their next service appointment at Volvo dealerships.
For every cup purchased on the site during this time period, Volvo drivers will receive a discount for the same amount, up to $100, on their next service visit at any U.S. Volvo retailer. Service discounts are redeemable Sept. 1, 2008 through Aug. 31, 2009.
About Volvo and ALSF
Alex and her lemonade stands first caught the attention of Volvo in 2002 when she received an inaugural Volvo for life Award nomination. The awards program honors hometown heroes doing extraordinary things in their communities. Alex's determination and unwavering support for pediatric cancer research earned her a Volvo for life Award at the 2003 ceremony in New York City. Despite her deteriorating health, Alex continued to raise money through her stands.
In 2004, Alex set a remarkable goal: call upon the nation to raise $1 million to fight pediatric cancer before the year's end. Sadly, Alex died Aug. 1 at the age of 8, having raised an amazing $700,000. Volvo promised to help Alex reach her $1 million goal, and the company's employees and retailers did so in October of that year - by selling lemonade.
By the end of 2004, one little girl had made a world of difference, raising $1.5 million. Since then, Volvo has shown unwavering support of ALSF, helping to keep the inspiration and legacy of Alex alive. To date, ALSF has raised more than $19 million.
More About Volvo
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (VCNA) is a subsidiary of Volvo Car Corp. of Göteborg, Sweden. VCNA provides marketing, sales, parts, service, technology and training support to Volvo automobile retailers in the United States, and oversees Volvo operations in Canada and Mexico.
More About ALSF
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, 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 volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $19 million towards fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 80 research projects nationally including those examining leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilm's tumor, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma among others.
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Media: Kim McMartin, Haberman & Associates, 612-372-6464, kim@habermaninc.com
