Lemonade stand helping cancer foundation, local youth

SANDPOINT — Nothing beats a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day, but the drink tastes even sweeter when it helps contribute to the eradication of pediatric cancer.

A local family is doing its part to fight cancer by joining forces with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which uses lemonade stands across the county to raise money for childhood cancer research.

The foundation began nine years ago when four-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who suffered from neuroblastoma cancer, wanted to help with cancer research by selling lemonade to her neighbors in Manchester, Conn. Sadly, Scott succumbed to her disease in 2004, but her single act of generosity has blossomed into a non-profit juggernaut that has raised more than $25 million nationally for childhood cancer research.

After learning about the foundation, Sandpoint’s Angie Aller, a mother of five, felt a need to help in any way she could.

“For us, we’re doing this because we don’t have insurance and I cannot imagine being in that position,” Aller said. “And I would pray that there would be people out there that would help us.”

Aller, along with her children, Kate, Natalie, Christopher and Leah, who range from 8 to 13 years old, will sell lemonade all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 404 Lincoln St.

While fundraising is Aller’s chief concern, she also wants to impress on her children the importance of giving back.

“My secret mission is to teach my kids the value of getting involved in your community and giving back,” she said. “I don’t think enough kids do that.”

The stand will also raise money for Tyler Cordle, a one-year old Sagle boy suffering from neuroblastoma cancer.