By Kim Friel
Student Life Editor
On Sept 14, the sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi held a philanthropic event at Rita’s to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Rita’s, which has been supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for 10 years now, whips up the signature flavor in their Italian ice and was happy to work with the sisters.
Every year, Chestertown’s Rita’s finds it routine to hold at least one event where all proceeds are donated to the foundation and what could be better than finding a group of women who are just as ecstatic to advertise the event, work behind the store’s windows, dance on Washington Avenue and even bring out the “Ice Man” costume to bring in the costumers.
AOII’s philanthropic chair, Alex Lating, says that she wanted to learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and wanted the sorority to help in anyway.
“Our philanthropy is juvenile arthritis, which is absolutely crippling to innocent kids, and we are responsible as a chapter to rally for any other foundation we feel would benefit from our support, so I suggested Alex’s Lemonade Stand and the rest of my sisters were in. It’s just another way we can help in anyway find a cure for innocent kids,” Lating said.
The sisters of AOII ran Rita’s from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday night making an estimated $5000 to go directly to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Those who visited and donated in means of cash to the foundation were rewarded with Rita’s coupons matching their donation to spend anytime of the year.
When asked towards the end of her shift if she liked working at Rita’s, Senior Megan Easter, said that it was fun.
“I can’t believe we’re actually making money for a great cause by just hanging out and serving people Italian ice—it’s just too easy but still very rewarding,” Easter said.
The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi would like to thank Chestertown’s Rita’s for allowing them to participate in the annual event and would also like to thank all the students and community who visited Rita’s Tuesday evening.