Lily's Lemonade Stand Coming Soon

At Patch, the emphasis is on what we call hyper-local news 99.9 percent of the time.

If it doesn't happen in Gloucester Township, have a direct impact on Gloucester Township or involve someone from Gloucester Township doing great things elsewhere, well, we generally don't care very much about it.

But when something special happens or is going to happen, especially when it's just over the township border, we feel obliged to let you know about it.

When it involves one of our own, we feel doubly obliged.

Lily Adkins, daughter of Patch freelancer Trish Adkins, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 14 months. She has been cancer-free now for almost four years now.

For the last two years, Lily and her family have run an Alex's Lemonade Stand in their front yard to help benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has been raising money to fight pediatric cancer since 2000.

The Adkinses have raised more than $13,000 over those two years.

This year, their goal is $10,000.

"This year is special as we celebrate nearly four years of clear MRIs for Lily—we want the same health and celebration for all children," Trish Adkins said. "$10,000 is a gigantic goal, but we know we can reach it will your help."

Lily's Lemonade Stand will be held Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at her home at 528 6th Ave., Lindenwold.

Lily's already raised $1,400 toward her goal. Help get her to $10,000.

Lily's school, Lindenwold School No. 5, has enthusiastically jumped in to help the cause.

Next Friday, students will be able to "dress down" for the day if they donate at least 50¢ to Lily's Lemonade Stand, allowing them to ditch the uniform and wear jeans.

One teacher has challenged his class to raise $100 or more with the promise they'll be homework-free for the remainder of the school year if they succeed.

If you can't make it over to buy a cup of ice-cold lemonade from Lily on June 11, visit her donation page.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation's eighth annual Lemonade Days will be June 10, 11, and 12. There will be lemonade stands across the country those three days.

Check back with Gloucester Township Patch for more information in the coming weeks about more lemonade stand locations.