Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

www.phillyburbs.com
By Crissa Shoemaker DeBree
1/9/2012

Every year, dozens of Applebee's restaurants in the Philadelphia region and beyond get a little crazy over lemons.

It's all for a good cause, to raise money for the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, a pediatric cancer foundation.

Since 2006, The Rose Group — a Newtown Township company that owns 59 Applebee's restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania, central New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland — has raised more than $2.4 million for the charity.

But more than that, the company's support from the early days of the foundation has helped it attract other corporate sponsors and raise tens of millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research, the organization's founders said.

"When you have a sponsor like The Rose Group behind you, not only does it bring in a lot of money, but it also makes other companies and other people willing to support you," said Jay Scott, who, along with his wife, Liz, run the foundation started in memory of their daughter. "It spreads awareness for us. They're just a great, great group of people and a great partner to have."

To recognize The Rose Group and its support, the company and its chairman, Harry Rose, will be presented with the Alex Scott Crystal Cup Award during the foundation's annual gala, The Lemon Ball, on Jan. 14.

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