Fairview Elementary third-grade students have been spending their recess time raising money to end childhood cancer. The students are competing with other schools across the nation in the Great Lemonade War to support cancer research. The second annual competition was set up by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Fairview Elementary is the only school in Louisiana participating in the fundraising competition.

“It’s just a wonderful way to show what the heart of our students is,” said Principal Karyl O’Banion. “For the school as a whole they supported and were excited at the opportunity to support … children whose families, and they themselves, are suffering.”

ALSF started as an at-home project by cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott. In 2000, at the age of 4, Alex decided to set up a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for children with cancer. She had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer, shortly before her first birthday.

After the first lemonade stand, Alex and her family continued to raise money, eventually forming ALSF. Alex died in August 2004 at the age of 8. Her parents continued the foundation in her name, and it has since spread across the U.S.

The Great Lemonade War contest stemmed from the book “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies. Third-grade teacher Amy Andrews found out about ALSF and the competition while doing a novel studies with her class on the book.

For several weeks, Andrews’ class has been wheeling out a stand made by her father-in-law and selling their drinks. The students sell not only lemonade but snacks such as cookies and candy as well.

Even though they give up their recess, Andrews said, her students do not have to be told to work the stand but are actually the ones asking to help. The rest of the school has also been contributing in their own ways, making donations, baking cookies and volunteering to serve. Andrews said for her students this has also turned into a lesson on businesses and serving others.

“They’ve learned a lot about economics and how we raise and lower the prices depending on the demand of the items,” she said. “It’s provided a lot of cross-curricular activities with this one little lemonade stand.”

So far, the class has raised more than $1,500. It has until April 26 to collect additional funds before turning the money in. A winner will be notified no later than May 3.

The winning school will be visited by Davies, as well as one of Alex’s parents, Liz or Jay Scott, in May. Up to 100 students from the winning school will receive autographed copies of Davies’ latest book, “The Candy Smash.”

“It’s been a real coming-together opportunity for our kids,” O’Banion said. “For a student to be well-rounded they need to learn to give back to their community and help be a responsible and productive citizen later in life.”

Donations can be sent via following website: www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/92476.

Fairview Elementary third-grade students spend their recess raising money with a lemonade stand for cancer research. They are competing in the Great Lemonade War for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. (Special to the American Press)