Last Sunday Culver City Studios was host to LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade, a benefit to fight childhood cancer. Drinks flowed, delicious bites were served, music played and there was even a clown for the kids. Usually when you attend benefits, the name of the charity is prominently displayed, but you don’t always know the details. Alex’s Lemonade is different; they make sure you know why you are in attendance.
The founder, Alexandria “Alex” Scott, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at only one year old. Alex’s pluck and determination was evident early on, when at four years old she told her parents she was going to open a lemonade stand, to help the doctors “help other children like they helped me.” She earned an amazing $2,000 at her first lemonade stand. By the time she passed away at the age of eight, Alex had raised a million dollars towards fighting childhood cancer. Inspired by Alex, other communities have held lemonade stand fundraisers.
Midway during the event Sunday, food service ceased and the crowd gathered on the steps of the famous “Gone with the Wind” mansion. Suzanne Goin was moved to tears as she recounted her first experience with Alex’s lemonade. It was at one of these fundraisers that Suzanne Goin was inspired to gather her chef friends and hold the first annual LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade last year. It was clear this charity has touched something deep within Suzanne Goin’s heart, and it opened the hearts of everyone in attendance.
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- Gregor Hembrough and Jimmy Kimmel
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- David Lentz, Suzanne Goin, Caroline Styne
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- Listening to Suzanne Goin
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- Jimmy Kimmel
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- Alex’s parents, Jay and Liz Scott
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- Applauding Alex’s Parents
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- The auction begins
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- The guests and volunteers are visibly moved
Alex’s parents, Jay and Liz Scott, spoke about Alex’s dedication to her lemonade stand, and how one day Alex asked her mother what they were doing with the money. Liz responded, “We are giving it to your hospital, so they can find a cure for neuroblastoma, the kind of cancer you have.”
Alex responded, “Well, that’s pretty selfish. All kids want their tumors to go away.” Liz Scott took a moment to compose herself, and through her tears, expressed her amazement that at such a young age, Alex had such insight. There was not a dry eye in the house.
Jordan Vincent, a current “Cancer Warrior” spoke, followed by a few words from MC Jimmy Kimmel. Then the auction started. Jimmy Kimmel got things rolling by bidding 10,000 for a Napa Valley package. The big draw of the day turned out to be the Great Women Chefs Dinner prepared by Giada de Laurentiis, Suzanne Goin, Nancy Silverton, Alice Waters and Sherry Yard. The dinner’s final bid was 61K. Altogether, the event raised $400,000 to try to make all kid’s tumors go away.
