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     We just completed our SEVENTH SUMMER running our Stand!  This year launches our first Magic Lemonade Grant to an Elementary School!  We were approached by Annamarie Milhous of Leeds Avenue School to get supplies and a lend of our drink coolers to have her Student Council get involved in running a stand at their school!  This may be the thing that makes us launch an all out campaign to get schools in our area to be aware of the fact that a school can run a stand and get their kids involved. 

     Our stand was after all originally inspired by a school's stand.  We believe that Smithville School was the first elementary school to run an Alex's Lemonade Stand through their G.E.M. Classes.  Since our mom teaches at that school, she found out about Alex and brought the story home to us...read more to find out how we got started!

 History of "Brigantine's Own" Alex's Lemonade Stand as it has been come to be Named

by Julie Mandes  Exhausted, Proud, and Happy Mom and Community Member

     After hearing about Alex's Lemonade Stand through Alex's Story which I told them after hearing it at Smithville School, my then 10-year-old twins, Joseph and Michael wanted to help. Michael asked if we could run a stand weekly to help the cause. We did so that year. We have continued our efforts ever since, although the stand format has developed over the years.

     The first summer, our family ran a weekly stand on the corner of 9th Street South and Ocean Avenue and also ran our first Family Fun Day Stand.  The boys were noted for their volunteerism by Mayor Guenther, and they were recognized for the great number of hours they put into volunteering, by earning the Gold Presidential Award for Volunteerism at the age of 10; after Donna Andros, Girl Scout Leader, informed our family and they the school about the availability of such an award and the fact that the boys easily qualified for it already, even though it is a challenging award to get.

     The second summer, our family realized that we made most of our funds at Big Events so we tried to challenge ourselves to raise more funds; in less time spent volunteering.  This is why we decided to run our stand only at Big community events that year; including: Family Fun Day, the Historical Society's Flea market; Hooked on Fishing; and the Triathlon. It was this year that we were invited by the Elks to run our stand at the Brigantine Elks Bayfest.  (Don Irons, currently Past Exalted Ruler, and NJ State Elks Region 1 Youth Chair was instrumental in leading other community organizations to be aware of the efforts of the Mandes Family Stand, as it was then known, to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer Research.  He was the one who also invited my husband and myself to be members of the Elks and the rest is history!  That year, through the encouragement of Mr. Irons, the V.F.W., the American Legion, and the Elks all made donations to the stand.  I believe it was also during this year, that Ms. Pollack, from the Alex Hotel found us in Brigantine and decided she wanted to connect with us in some way to help. 

     The third summer, the boys told us during one of our family meetings about our ideas for the stand that they wanted to run stands weekly AND at big community events! I, myself, a Smithville School 4th Grade Teacher who stays at home during the summers, decided to continue to follow my sons' lead and get involved in this way.  The stand was quite a success; but our family was truly exhausted at the end of that summer and needed to take a vacation from our "vacation" and celebrated at Disney during Spring Break I believe. 

    The fourth summer that we ran our stand, we decided to change the format to holding "ONE BIG STAND AGAINST PEDIATRIC CANCER" yearly at Brigantine's Family Fun Day.  This we did through 2009; each year, getting more and more business support to make the stand's proceeds increase!  This was done along with online fundraising and a letter-writing campaign to help the cause. 

     The more business and community support our stand received, the more it was evident to us that this stand was not ours; it was Brigantine's!  That is when it came to be called:  Brigantine's Own Alex's Lemonade Stand"!

     In 2009, the boys decided to start a contest which they called the Youth Challenge Contest.  A few different groups of youth participated informally.  Some were from Galloway.  A few of the boys' friends in Brigantine helped them with their stands they were holding at the Smile Factory.

     In 2010, the stand started evolving even further.  It marked the year Michael developed the Magic Lemonade Grants of Jumbo Canisters of Lemonade to youth who would pledge to attempt to raise at least $100 for the cause.  Our goal was to inspire other youth and their families in our community to join our team to raise funds to help our town reach our fundraising goal and continue to help fund pediatric cancer research.  Our family along with help from the Youth Alliance, ran stands at the Brigantine Elks Seafood Fest and Bayfest.  The Magic Lemonade Stand idea proved to expand the"Youth Challenge Contest" we ran in 2009.   We knew that prior to this year; the two young people who were consistent supporters of the stand since 2007 were Anna Maria Carozzo and Hannah Towhey!  After Annamaria's mom shared with her about the boys' stand; she was inspired to run her own stand on Ocean Avenue with the help of her friend, Hannah. They have done so for 5 years now here in Brigantine and donated through the larger "Brigantine's Own" Stand. 

Note their amazing record!  It's something they should be proud of!:

Progress of Anna Maria Carrozzo and Hannah Towhey's Stand Efforts along with their friends

(Fun Fact:  Annamaria was only 7-years old when she held her first stand)

2007 Stand  about $50 2008 Stand  $124
2009 Stand  $216
2010 Stand  $355 
2011 Stand  $506.30
 
Total raised to date:    $1,251.30
 
 
NEWS ON OTHER MAGIC LEMONADE STANDS 2010
The Mowen Family and the Cub Scouts   $575
Team Beach Boys:  Eric and D.J. Haney, Jack & Kristin Borrone  $150
Christopher Harris with Family and Friends $300
Team Art Is:  $200
Smithville Angels:  $373.40
Siri D'Ambra & Grandparents and a friend: $495.44
 
 
The seventh summer running the stand was a big effort to spread the spirit of Volunteerism.  We gained the support of the Brigantine Elks who granted us the funds to give away grants of Jumbo Canisters of Lemonade to kids who wanted to gain a Magic Lemonade Grant in 2011.  A few kids did sign up to be on the team when they visited the stand which the Youth Alliance Group ran at Brigantine's Own Family Fun Day.  The youth alliance ran another Lemonade Stand at the Brigantine Elks Bayfest and Brigantine's Own Stand who gained the donation of the Weekend Getaway Prize for Raffle from the Alex Hotel in New York City teamed up with the Brigantine Elks so that tickets could be sold.  Donations are still coming in from Magic Lemonade Stands as some participants from the Summer of 2011 decided to extend their efforts into the Fall!
 
NEWS ON OTHER MAGIC LEMONADE STANDS 2011    

Jordan Axler 2011 Magic Stand $368

Tamara Miller $71

More to come...

     Now "Brigantine’s Own" Alex’s Lemonade Stand has evolved into a community-wide effort.  At the Elks Seafood Fest stand, run by the our Family, Joseph and Michael, now 15-years-old, launched their idea of Magic Lemonade.  Ten Magic Lemonade Grants will be given out to youth who inquire by contacting us via email or phone.  Anyone who runs a team stand and donates their proceeds through Brigantine's Own Stand E5115 can qualify to "win" our challenge contest even if they don't receive a Magic Lemonade Grant. 

     Did you know that anyone can hold a stand anytime to benefit the Foundation? “Brigantine’s Own” Alex’s Lemonade Stand is what our stand has come to be known since we have been holding it in Brigantine for 6 summers, now, and it has become a community effort! 

     With the exception of our first team stand leader, Anna Maria Carrozzo, who started supporting the cause 5 summers ago, the stand was originally run by the Mandes Family with the support of the Brigantine Community; townspeople, local businesses, and organizations, in the form of donations.  However, now, the stand has truly developed into a community effort; with teams running stands for the cause and submitting through Brigantine's Own Stand to see how much we can raise when we work together to hold stands. 

     Just think what would happen if even just one quarter of the kids who live in Brigantine choose to participate and run one stand each summer!  Stands don't have to be large undertakings.  They can be simple just like what Alex Scott did when she started helping.  Just some lemonade and a donation bin!

     At the beginning of the summer of 2010, we had raised just about $23,000.  Now, with the help of other teams of caring people here in Brigantine, and abroad, our group has surpassed our original goal of reaching $25,000 raised for the cause by the end of this summer, and we have increased our goal to that of reaching a total of $30,000 raised.

     It is about our community pulling together to help the cause. It wouldn't be so successful without everyone coming together to support the stand in one way or another. See our photo album on this site to see the great people who truly make up Brigantine's Own Alex's Lemonade Stand.  In 2010 we held an award's ceremony to honor our members.  Photos of this are also in our album.

     In 2011, our Stand received the honor of the Elks Starfish Award for going above and beyond in Volunteerism.  Joseph and Michael received Elks Starfish Leadership awards for the same thing.  Proudly Annamaria Carrozzo, Hannah Towhey and friends received Elks Starfish Awards, too for their dedication to this cause over the years!

Well...we continue to challenge youth to be creative in fundraising and hold their own stands.  More Lemonade Grants are still available! We are extending the Magic Lemonade Stand Grants to Local Schools who wish to raise funds for the cause.  We will provide them with a starter supply of Lemonade and can lend them drink coolers which were  donated to us if they need them.

A teacher in Pleasantville, Annamaria Milhous, has been in contact with us and is checking with the Student Council and School Leadership to see when they may hold their stand using their grant!

     Anyone gaining a Magic Lemonade Grant wishing to submit the funds, should be sure to list this fundraising page E5115 to have your funds go towards the Brigantine's Own Alex's Lemonade Stand Total to see what we can raise together for this very worthy cause.  You can turn the proceeds in through this fundraising page and note who you or your group is in the message section.  Or you can mail your donation in listing the fundraising page code: E5115, to the Foundation, so your proceeds can be counted toward achieving this years' goal which is to surpass the $30,000 mark! 

     If you feel more comfortable, you can also contact the Mandes Family and get a check to them from your proceeds of your stand, made out to "Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation".  We can also submit it for you. 

Call us at 266-4119 if you have any questions.

     Participating youth may win the Mandes Family's Gold Award for Volunteerism which is an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s Gold Award Pin! They may also qualify to win a special prize for top overall youth fundraiser through this site this year.

Tricks for Success:

• Be creative in fundraising!
• Ask for support of adults!
• Get businesses to sponsor you and include their names on a sign at your stand as a thank you!
• Be crafty!  Make something and sell it at your stand along with your lemonade to benefit the cause.
• Musically talented? Hold a concert for your friends and family with a lemonade "twist".
• Are you an artist? Hold your own Art Show for Family and Friends asking for "donations" to this cause instead of payment for your artwork?
• Like to party with friends? Hold an Alex's Lemonade Pizza Party...with the only thing your friends need to bring being a donation to the cause! You can have fun all while helping to raise funds!
• If you put your own talents into your idea, it is sure to be a success!

Tips:

     Be sure to list that 100 Percent of your proceeds will go to the Foundation. If holding a traditional stand, remember...sometimes the best way to get donations is to not set a price for your lemonade, but instead say...Lemonade for a donation of your choice to help Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation! Did you know that a Brigantine Resident once donated $100 for a glass of lemonade?

     Please take photos of your stand and get permission to send them to us at 4417 Whalerman Road and we will try to include them on this web site as "FACES of Brigantine's Own Alex's Lemonade Stand".

     Also, we are hoping to send in a press release at the end of the summer, which will include the photos of all youth who participated in this challenge, with parent's permission, of course! With your donation, consider including a note as to what you did to raise the funds.

     Parents/Grandparents...if you are reading this...please let the kids know! Of course, kids can have their parents write out a check to “Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation” in the amount of the proceeds from their stand. Good Luck to ALL! We will keep you posted!

     Anna Maria Carozzo, was the top youth supporter in the Mandes boys' Lemonade Stand Challenge in 2008 and 2009! She has held stands since 2007 and donated the proceeds through our stand! We wonder who else will join our Team in our effort to fund Pediatric Cancer Research!

     REMEMBER…Alex Scott was so very young when she had the idea of helping kids with cancer by running a Lemonade Stand. She knew something that many adults didn’t know…that youth can make a big difference in our world! She believed in this…and now the world knows it is true!

     We thank all of the adults who supported our efforts over the years!  The Stand would not be successful without you.

Special thanks goes out to:  The Brigantine Elks Lodge 2428; The V.F.W. Post 6964; and The Alex Hotel.  Mary Lou Pollack, General Manager of the Hotel has again this year, generously donated grand prize of a Weekend Getaway for Two at “The Alex Hotel” in New York valued at $2000. 

     Raffle tickets are available at an amazing low cost of $5 each through the Brigantine Elks!  Why not buy a few while helping to fund Pediatric Cancer Research.  They will be sold through September 25th, when the winning ticket will be pulled at the Elks Lodge at 4 P.M.  (The Elks have gotten the raffle permits.)  Call the Mandes Family at: 266-4119, for details.

     YOUR ODDS OF WINNING ARE MUCH BETTER THAN PLAYING AT THE CASINO.   A MAXIMUM OF 500 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD.  REMEMBER ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS THE ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION! CHECK OUT THE HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS NOW ONLINE:

www.thealexhotel.com

Check out our listing below for our Stand's overall fundraising accomplishments over the years!

Here is a listing of our Community Stand's Progress:

Summer 2005 $2,000

Summer 2006 $3,000

Summer 2007 $10,000

Summer 2008 $6,056

Summer 2009 $1,516 

(From the summers of 2005 through 2009, we raised about $22,572 total!  THIS WAS BEFORE MAGIC LEMONADE STANDS TEAMS WERE STARTED!)

Summer 2010  $5,472.70

Summer 2011  $2,295.30

     Congratulations to EVERYONE INVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, FOR PULLING TOGETHER! THE ACCOMPLISHMENT IS AMAZING!

 A special thanks to local businesses who have supported our efforts over the years:

The Smile Factory     Rita’s Waterice    Riptide Bait and Tackle      RiteAid            

Hot Bagels & More   The Right Touch Spa     Aversa’s Bakery     Red Door Spa   

Sweet Dreams  Ernest & Son Meat Market  Hooper’s Seafood Café  Aunt B’s    

Macedonian Grill     Goochie Brothers       Walmart    Shoprite   Pirate’s Den       

Laguna Grill   Brigantine Nautilus  Atlantic City CRUISES  PRETZEL FACTORY

CARRABBA’S   Outback Steakhouse  Target   Home Depot   McDonalds   Acme

Brigantine Elks Lodge 2428*   Century 21 O’Donnell   The Alex Hotel

Borgata Heart & Soul Foundation  BRIGANTINE SUPERMARKET  STEAK 38 

ENROUTE COMPUTER SOLUTIONS   Eckerd    McDonalds in Absecon  

STACY’S PITA CHIPS    ST. GEORGE’S PUB    HERR'S   L’ARAGOSTA RISTORANTE   

Lowe’s   Dr. Howard Hassman    B.J.’s     WAWA    The Comedy Stop 

Kline-McAnney American Legion Post 396    The Links at Brigantine Beach