On January 28 at its annual Lemon Ball event in Philadelphia, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) presented Firebirds Wood Fired Grill with the 2023 Alex Scott Crystal Cup Award in recognition of the restaurant’s commitment to help stamp out childhood cancer. For the past ten years, Charlotte, NC-based Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise funds for research into new treatments and cures, and special family services, for children battling cancer.
Throughout the year Firebirds donates $1.25 for every glass of fresh squeezed lemonade sold. In June, restaurant team members volunteer their time during Lemonade Days, an annual three-day fundraiser complete with a lemonade stand and a glass of fresh lemonade with every $3 contribution. One hundred percent of money raised during Lemonade Days is donated to ALSF. Additionally, guests can round up their check totals to contribute, and a donation is made with every slice of Big Daddy’s Lemon Cake or Tito’s Lemon Drop purchased at Firebirds.
“Firebirds has made our partnership a part of its corporate culture and continues to make a significant impact funding better treatments and state-of-the-art research breakthroughs,” said Liz Scott, Co-executive Director of ALSF and Mom to founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). “We are very proud to present the 2023 Alex Scott Crystal Cup Award to Firebirds in recognition of its tireless efforts and to acknowledge the hope that the restaurant provides children with cancer nationwide.”
Four years ago, Firebirds became the primary organizer of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Golf Classic, a charity event held every year in September during Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The golf event continues to raise tens of thousands of dollars each year.
“Firebirds is truly inspired to partner with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation,” says Firebirds Wood Fired Grill CEO Steve Kislow. “We continue to be humbled and honored to play whatever role we can, and for however long it takes, to fight childhood cancer one cup of lemonade at a time.”
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.” Alex raised more than $1 million toward a cure for childhood cancer before she passed away in 2004.
Like Alex, Firebirds is small yet mighty in its quest to fight childhood cancer. With only 56 locations nationwide the restaurant estimates nearly one and a half million cups of lemonade have been served to guests, and recently surpassed $3 million in funds raised for the Foundation.
