8th Annual Anthem LemonAid Report
 For the eighth consecutive summer, Richmond-ers came together to help make miracles happen in our community. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Richmond to bring Anthem LemonAid, a “kids helping kids” fundraiser, to the families, community organizations and businesses of Richmond. With close to 900 LemonAid stands registered and the support of the community, more than $137,000 was raised to help “put the squeeze” on pediatric cancer. This summer also marked the second year for the Online LemonAid Stands. Participants were once again able to use email and internet to create a personalized virtual lemonade stand to further their fundraising efforts. With 125 virtual stands registered throughout Virginia, participants raised over $12,000 to contribute to the total.
Children’s Miracle Network Richmond encouraged area businesses to participate in Anthem LemonAid by way of the 3rd Annual Business Challenge, and this year the “Change a Child’s Life” coin drive was offered in addition to registering a lemonade stand. The local Food Lion team was awarded the Business Challenge prize, courtesy of Jason’s Deli, after raising $22,500. Local day cares participated in the 1st Annual Child Care Challenge. Area day care centers were challenged to register and create a stand that best fit the theme of “kids helping kids.” Kiddie Kingdom’s staff and children made special t-shirts and asked customers to “take a squeeze and help us please,” showing such great energy and enthusiasm to help local children. The day care will enjoy a party hosted by Kangaroo Jac’s.
Over the last seven years, the hard work and dedication from participants helped build this event into a statewide effort. Children’s Miracle Network member hospitals in the Hampton Roads and Roanoke-Lynchburg areas joined central Virginia to host their own Anthem LemonAid events. In their first year, these areas raised an outstanding $80,000 contributing to a statewide total of over $217,000 to benefit children battling pediatric cancer. This statewide community supported event is an easy way for people to share the experience of giving back. Not only does Anthem LemonAid provide a fun project for families, organizations and businesses, but the program teaches people of all ages the importance of giving back through the gift of life and health.
Thanks to the family of Anthem LemonAid sponsors, Children’s Miracle Network is able to offer this amazing and fun fundraiser to all residents Virginia. Sponsors include Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, M&T Bank, EZ Box, Ukrop’s, the Central Virginia Food Bank, Jason’s Deli, PUNCH, Lite 98, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Kangaroo Jac’s. Other philanthropic community sponsors include Magic Special Events, Radio Disney AM 1290 and Joey’s Hot Dogs who all help provide an opportunity to say “Thank you” to everyone who participated. Thanks to our sponsors and thanks to everyone who helped in the effort to “put the squeeze” on pediatric cancer!
To request more information about Anthem LemonAid, please click here.
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