Rita’s Italian Ice is partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to benefit childhood cancer research and funding.
Rita’s Italian Ice is excited to announce their annual partnership event with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is a nonprofit dedicated to finding cures for all children with cancer. This June marks the 13th year of the partnership between Rita’s and ALSF and almost $5 million has been raised to date.
A “Chief Ice Maker” fundraising event for ALSF will be held at the Rita’s Italian Ice in Mantua from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m, June 10; 10 percent of proceeds will be given to ALSF. Ellie Matz, an ALSF Hero, will be the Chief Ice Maker during the event. She will be learning the ins and outs, how to make batches of Rita’s signature Italian ice and serving up frozen treats and happiness to customers. Matz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in December 2014. “It’s nobody’s fault if you get cancer and having cancer does stink…but sometimes good things can still happen,” Matz said.
Matz’s favorite things include playing outside, spending time with her sisters and friends and reading any book she can get her hands on. Rita’s of Mantua is offering a $3 Regular Gelati special during the event, and donations will be accepted at the service window.
Rita’s partnership with ALSF began in July 2006. In 2013, the Rita’s Fund of Hope, an endowment fund that supports the ALSF Travel for Care Program was created. The Travel for Care Program helps families who travel for their child to receive cancer-fighting treatment. Information about the Travel for Care Program can be found at www.alexslemonade.org/travel-for-care.
Throughout June, guests across the country can visit their local Rita’s and contribute to the fundraiser by adding their name to a paper lemon for one dollar. The paper lemons create a “Wall of Hope” at each store to demonstrate the local community’s support of ALSF, with funds going toward Rita’s Fund of Hope.
