More than 670 tire dealers in 25 states are partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) in a quest to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Merchant’s Tire and Auto Center, Tire Kingdom and National Tire & Battery are all joining the effort along with sister-company Big O Tires.

The period of June 6 through June 9 has been designated “Lemonade Days” for ALSF at all of the outlets. Customers will have the opportunity to make a donation to ALSF, have a personalized paper lemon posted at the store to show their support, and receive a refreshing cup of lemonade “to go”. Although the lemonade supply is expected to be depleted by June 9, customers can continue to make donations and have their lemons posted through June 30.

Big O will be conducting a focused ALSF awareness and donations campaign during the entire month of July, expanding the charity program’s reach to more than 1,200 tire dealerships in 45 states.

“We are delighted to help in the cause of finding cures for childhood cancer,” says Bob Crostarosa, Tire Kingdom’s vice president of marketing. “This is our first year partnering with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, providing our employees and customers with the opportunity to help the foundation started by an inspired child in her own fight against cancer.”

ALSF emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who died in 2004 at age 8. When she was just four-years-old, Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer.

“We are seeing progress every day in fighting childhood cancer, and that motivates us to keep telling Alex’s story so that we can raise funds to help all the children still fighting this battle,” says Liz Scott, Alex’s mother.

Alex’s original lemonade stand in Wynnewood, Pa. ultimately served hundreds of thousands glasses of lemonade, netting more than $300,000 for pediatric cancer research. This summer marks the project’s 9th anniversary.

In the years following Alex’s 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 $19 million towards fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure. The organization is funding more than 80 research projects nationally.

The Tire Kingdom/TBC Shared Services enterprise is the largest independent tire and automotive services retailer in the U.S., beginning in a stall at the West Palm Beach Farmers Market in 1972. Tire Kingdom, acquired by Memphis-based TBC Corp. in 2000, now has more than 7,000 employees.

For more information, visit www.tirekingdom.com or www.alexslemonade.org.