Calling all students

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization that raises awareness and money for childhood cancer research, and MAGPI (the Mid-Atlantic Gigapop in Philadelphia for Internet2) are asking schools around the world to be a part of the Virtual Lemonade Stand Project. The project has two main requirements: During April 30 to May 13, the school must hold a lemonade stand fundraiser and it must participate in videoconferencing events. Each site can choose to have a stand every day during the two-week period, hold a one-day fundraiser, or develop their own schedule. After each day of sales, participants are then asked to complete an online record form. Schools must have videoconferencing equipment to participate in the April 30 Kick-Off Virtual Pep Rally to get the Virtual Lemonade Stand Project officially started. There will also be a Wrap-Up Celebration videoconference on May 14, the day after the project ends.While there is no cost to participate in the project, groups must register between now and April 15. While the main focus of the project is holding a lemonade stand fundraiser, kids in grades K-12, as well as college and university students, can also blog, create their own videos, and participate in a poster contest. Optional projects include:

> Creating a 45-second video reflection on "How Can I Make a Difference?"

> Entering the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand poster contest

> Documenting their school's project experience with blog posts

> Playing Lemonade Bingo during the videoconferences; and

> Being a VJ for the videoconferencesAlex's Lemonade Stand Foundation was founded by a childhood cancer patient named Alex Scott, who created her own lemonade stand to raise money for research. With that one lemonade stand as the inspiration, now many other kids create their own stands to help make a difference. To learn more about the Virtual Lemonade Stand Project or to register, go to www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Alexs-Virtual-Lemonade-Stand. You can learn more about the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation by reading "Saving Children, One Cup at a Time," from the Fall 2007 issue of Heal.