Local Applebee’s and Corner Bakery Cafes feature
local fundraisers and events supporting childhood cancer research
Maya Rigler is a cancer survivor. Already beating a form of kidney cancer, Wilms tumor, and having entered the fight against a rare form of atypical Ewing’s Sarcoma at age ten, the now eleven year old not only is prepared to fight hard against the ‘blob of sad cells’ that are ganging up on her, but has also extended her battle beyond her diagnosis. As an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) Child Hero, she takes her incredible courage and grit on the road to partner with organizations raising money for ALSF, and was the featured guest at The Rose Group’s Charity Golf Classic, an event that kicks off a month long Lemonade Days campaign aimed at raising funds to combat pediatric cancer. Maya wants to help find a cure and make sure no other child has to go through the cancer treatment she did – a goal shared passionately by everyone at The Rose Group.
It’s stories like Maya’s that inspired The Rose Group, one of the leading franchisees of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Corner Bakery Cafe restaurants, to strike a partnership with ALSF 11 years ago that has raised over $3M to date, and plans to add $300,000 from this year’s campaign alone. The 2016 Charity Golf Classic already raised over $80,000 for the campaign with record-breaking attendance on June 13th at Talamore Country Club in Ambler, PA. Important corporate partners such as Restaurant Programs of America, Heineken USA and Maines Paper and Foodservice were all in attendance.
“We’re very proud of the alliance with ALSF we’ve grown over the past 11 years, and want to thank our business partners for their support” explained Jeff Warden, CEO of The Rose Group. “The fight against pediatric cancer requires an army, and the overwhelming generosity we’ve seen at this year’s Charity Golf Classic shows our partners share that same sentiment. We’re excited to continue our support not only for the Lemonade Days campaign, but year-round as well.”
The Rose Group’s partnership with ALSF that began in 2005 has expanded to include over 1,000 Applebee’s restaurants nationwide, and has raised almost $6M in total. Applebee’s guests wishing to donate can purchase a paper lemon that will hang on the wall in honor of their donation, purchase a refreshing lemonade drink (.25 of each lemonade drink is donated to ALSF), or donate to ALSF directly through Applebee’s at participating restaurants. Guests who donate $5 will receive a coupon for $5 off their next purchase of $25 at participating restaurants, along with the chance to win Free Applebee’s for a Year. Local Corner Bakery Cafe guests can also show support by purchasing a $1 paper lemon or a $5 paper lemonade stand. Guest who donate $5 will receive a coupon book (valued at over $20) to use on future visits. This promotion runs from 6/27 to 7/31.
For more information on this year’s Alex’s Lemonade Stand fundraising efforts, visit your local Applebee’s restaurant.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $120 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 550 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.
About The Rose Group
The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown, PA, is the 43rd largest restaurant franchise company in the United States. They currently own and operate 56 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. The company is the first franchisee for Corner Bakery Cafe, operating seven cafes in Eastern Pennsylvania and two in New Jersey. The Rose Group also co-owns and operates two Shannon Rose restaurants, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey. More information on The Rose Group can be found on their website at www.therosegroup.com.
