Rita's Squeezes Pediatric Cancer with $520,000 Donation

TREVOSE, Pa., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Rita's Water Ice, (http://www.ritasice.com) the nation's largest Italian Ice concept with more than 500 stores across 17 states, today announced that the company raised $520,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) during its signature paper lemon fundraiser. In just three years, Rita's has raised more than $1.5 million for pediatric cancer research, becoming the leading corporate fundraiser of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080724/NETH109 )

From June 1 through June 30, more than 500 Rita's locations participated in the company's third consecutive fundraiser and sold paper lemons in $1 increments to Rita's guests. Guests had the option to personalize their paper lemons, which were then displayed in the local store's "Wall of Hope," a visual tribute to the community's participation in the fundraiser.

In 2006, Rita's Water Ice officially became a corporate partner of ALSF and implemented its unique paper lemon promotion to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research. In honor of the Foundation's namesake, the late Alexandra "Alex" Scott, Rita's renamed its Lemon ice flavor -- "Alex's Lemonade." Lemon, one of Rita's two original flavor offerings when the company was established in 1984, is one of the company's five most popular flavors.

"Rita's franchise partners inspire our guests year after year, and together, they demonstrate how much they care deeply about children battling the trauma of cancer through this program," said Jim Rudolph, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Rita's Water Ice. "I couldn't be more proud of our guests, franchise partners and Treat Team members for raising $520,000 in only four weeks."

"We are extremely grateful that Rita's has continued to support our Foundation through their signature paper lemon fundraiser for the third year in a row," said Jay Scott, Alex's father and Executive Director of ALSF. "With Rita's help, we are able to continue our daughter's mission of finding a cure for all children battling cancer."

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 $20 million towards fulfilling Alex's dream of finding a cure, funding over 80 research projects nationally.

For more information, please visit www.AlexsLemonade.org

About Rita's Water Ice

Rita's Water Ice Franchise Company, headquartered in Trevose, Pa., is the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, currently operating in 17 states with more than 500 stores. Rita's brand promise is Ice, Custard and Happiness(TM). The chain offers a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, Old Fashioned Frozen Custard, and layered Gelati, as well as its signature Misto(TM) and Blendini(TM) creations. Rita's was named one of the Top 25 Franchise High Performers by the Wall Street Journal's 'Startup Journal.' For more information about Rita's Water Ice, please call 1-800-677-RITA or visit www.ritasice.com.

SOURCE Rita's Water Ice