Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) partner since fall 2012, has now surpassed $2 million in donations to the national childhood cancer foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds for research into new treatments and cures for children battling various cancers.
Firebirds’ donations to ALSF come from the sale of fresh lemonade in its restaurants year-round and typically lemonade stands set up outside restaurant location during ALSF’s annual Alex’s Lemonade Days Fundraiser in June. But in a year where physical lemonade stands were not possible, Firebirds pivoted efforts and figured out other ways to help raise money and awareness in the fight against childhood cancer.
“We are thankful of the support from our generous guests and partners,” aYA Firebirds CEO Mark Eason. “Not only did we reach $2 million in donations this year, but we had the biggest year in donations to date during Lemonade Days.” ALSF was born as the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996 – 2004), who said she wanted to give her proceeds to oncologists so they could “help other kids, like they helped me.”
By the time she died in 2004, Alex had raised more than $1 million toward a cure for childhood cancer. Her foundation has gone on to raise more than $200 million to research childhood cancer causes, treatments and cures.
All of this was done one cup of lemonade at a time. Year-round, Firebirds donates $1.25 per glass of fresh lemonade sold at every restaurant to ALSF. Starting in 2013, Firebirds also began participating in Alex’s Lemonade Days, with this year’s donations exceeding $225,000.
For the past three years, Firebirds was recognized as a Lemonade Days All-Star and Top Fundraiser by ALSF. “Firebirds plays a pivotal role in our fight against childhood cancer,” says Liz Scott, ALSF’s co-executive director and mom to founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). “Their consistent contributions have helped fund better treatments for children and assist in state-of-the art research breakthroughs that are ultimately helping kids in their battle with cancer.”
Firebirds’ top contributing partners include Tito’s Handmade Vodka, DoorDash, OLO, Cafaro, SuperVox, Lawton, Reinhart Foodservice, Produce Alliance and iHeartRadio.
