GREENE – When Greene senior Andrea Myers attended a ‘Girls Take Charge’ leadership workshop last year, she was inspired by the story of a young cancer patient named Alexandra Scott who sought to find a cure for childhood cancer by selling lemonade.
By the time Scott passed away at the age of 8, she had succeeded in raising $1 million for pediatric cancer research. Following her death, the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was formed to continue her work in fighting childhood cancer “one cup at a time.” Today, thousands of lemonade stands have been held to raise money and more than $25 million has been raised for pediatric cancer research, according to the non-profit’s website.
“I just thought it was a really good cause,” Myers said. When she brought the idea of holding a fundraiser for the pediatric cancer research foundation to members of Interact, a student organization to which she belongs, her peers thought so, too.
“(Pediatric cancer) is the leading cause of death of children under 15,” said Megan McDermott, explaining why she, too, believes it to be a worthy cause. The Greene High School senior serves as secretary of the student service organization, which is affiliated with Rotary International.
Myers also found support from Interact’s president, Ethan Day. Together they approached their advisor, High School Counselor Matt Butler, about incorporating a lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer research into a car wash the group already had planned. The intention of that car wash, according to Butler, was to raise money for the Greene Chapter of Dollars for Scholars as well as to support Interact’s community service projects.
“This was initiated by our kids,” Butler said. “They came to me with this Alex’s Lemonade Stand (idea).” It was an idea that all 40 members of the student community service organization got behind.
Butler speaks highly of the students involved with Interact.
“The students that are a part of Interact have a genuine interest in helping the school and community,” the group’s advisor said. While members are required to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours each school year, most exceed that requirement, he explained.
Many of the Interact’s members are involved in school sports and other activities as well, but they still find time to pitch for thier community.
“I am always able to gather a group of students to help with a community or charitable event,” Butler said.
According to Day, some of the group’s activities include organizing a Red Cross blood drive at the school, volunteering at the Greene Community Clothing Bank and holding an annual Rake-a-Thon, the proceeds from which are donated to other community service organization.
Interact’s joint Car Wash and Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraiser took place on Saturday, May 2 in the Greene High School parking lot.
For more information on the student organization, contact Matt Butler at 656-4161. To learn more about the effort to raise money for pediatric cancer research, visit www.alexslemonade.org.