Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand LIVE Celebration Videoconference Joins Students Worldwide to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer Research

May 24, 2012 – Philadelphia, PA -- MAGPI, the University of Pennsylvania's Internet2 hub and educational and multimedia services provider, launched the sixth annual "Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand Project” on May 8, 2012. Two weeks later on May 22nd, after schools had the opportunity to host lemonade stands in their own communities, the 14 participating schools from around the world come back together in a celebration videoconference to share their success in raising money to end childhood cancer.

The wrap-up videoconference event was a celebration of each school’s accomplishments and the collective efforts of all the participating teams who together raised over $13,000 for pediatric cancer research. This year’s celebration videoconference was hosted by student VJs in Dali City, Taiwan who also dedicated a live musical tribute performance to childhood cancer heroes worldwide. Anyone in the world was able to view the celebration/wrap-up videoconference by going to http://video.magpi.net and clicking on “Live Videos” on Tuesday May 22, 2012 from 11 AM – 12 PM EDT. An archive of the event is available for later viewing at http://video.magpi.net/videos/video/434/in/channel/17/. 

The 2012 Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand project brings together 14 schools from diverse corners of the world including schools in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Alabama, Montana, and Taiwan. Throughout the two-week project students use the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand blog which encourages schools and students to share their fundraising ideas and successes and provides ongoing updates, including photos and videos, on the amount of money they raise and the cups of lemonade sold. The “Make A Difference” Commercial Contest gives students an opportunity to think about how they can make a difference in their community and then express that though the use of digital media by creating a 45 second "commercial spot." The Lemonade Stand Poster Contest helps students get the word out about their fundraising projects.

The Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand project consists of several components that make this exciting annual service project engaging for all involved. The special kick-off videoconference includes a Lemon Spirit Rally Contest where schools show off their “lemony-ness” in performances and cheers from step teams to dramatic presentations, to original rap songs, and more. The school with the most “lemonade spirit” during the videoconference wins the Spirit Award.

Additional information about the 2012 Alex’s Virtual Lemonade Stand project including a complete list of participating school, photos, videos, and the project blog is available at http://magpi.net/Community/Programs/Alexs-Virtual-Lemonade-Stand.

About MAGPI:

MAGPI, The University of Pennsylvania's Internet2 hub, part of the Division of Information Systems and Computing, provides regional and Internet2 connectivity and educational and multimedia services to its member institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida. MAGPI is committed to promoting advanced applications, collaborations, and services for the K20 research and education community through advanced networking technology. For more information about MAGPI, visit http://www.magpi.net

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation:
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). At the age of 4, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $50 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 200 research projects nationally. For more information about the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit http://www.alexslemonade.org/