Alex’s Lemonade Stand aims to support childhood cancer research in St. Joseph

By Jenna Wilson

St. Joseph’s Hy-Vee supermarket showed its support for Alex’s Lemonade stand by participating in the 21st year of Midwest Lemonade Days on Friday.

Hy-Vee supermarkets across the country have raised over $2 million to fight childhood cancer through their participation in Midwest Lemonade Days, supporting all children affected by childhood cancer throughout the community.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand was inspired by a 4-year-old girl from Connecticut who was diagnosed with cancer, and before passing, she would set up a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money for cancer research, inspiring people from everywhere to donate proceeds for the cause.

Zack Ziesel, the classmate of a local childhood cancer survivor, was honored to host the lemonade stand at Hy-Vee on Friday to support cancer research.

“It’s important to help donate and be there for others when they need help,” Ziesel said. “It’s the right thing to do and you never know when you’ll need help sometime down the road and want others to be there for you and show their support in the same way.”

What started as a store helping a local family has blossomed into a community effort throughout Kansas and Missouri, with 23 Hy-Vee locations hosting lemonade stands annually.

In addition, Hy-Vee locations continue to show their support for children affected by cancer year-round through several of their marketing initiatives and sponsorships.

“We’ve got great tasting refreshments here and more importantly, it’s making a difference in the lives of the youth,” Ziesel said.

Midwest Lemonade Days will be hosted again at 21 Hy-Vee locations, including St. Joseph, on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.