Monday, September 10, 2007

Just Announced! New Dates for Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand 2008!

Kids helping Kids Make a Difference! In celebration of Global Youth Services Day, join other schools across the country as they host lemonade stands to raise money for pediatric cancer research and participate in other related projects. Schools will collaborate with each other through a blog, a special "kick off" videoconference spirit rally and closing project collage videoconference event.

Now in it's third year, we're pleased to announce the ALEX'S VIRTUAL LEMONADE STAND will take place from April 8 - April 24, 2008.
Visit the website for more details/registration!

Interested in working with us 'behind the scenes?' We're currently looking for educators that want to help coordinate the poster contest, poetry contest, and song showcase. We're also looking for a guest school to perform the "Alex's Lemonade Song" as part of our Kick-Off Spirit Rally. Interested? Please email Heather (hweisse at magpi.net).


We're looking forward to working with all of you again!

The Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Team

Thursday, April 26, 2007

What a fantastic two weeks!

All,

Thanks so much for a wonderful event today! We are all amazed at what you have done... and the total fundraising amount keeps climbing.... we're near $17,000 and counting!

Your special projects and school-wide events were inspiring. You and your students are quite a creative bunch!

The unedited webstream of the event is available for the next few weeks. Click here and scroll down to "Alex's Lemonade."

Regrettably, one school was unable to join us today because of a technical error on MAGPI's part. We are sincerely sorry that Heritage Junior/Senior High School was unable to take part in today's event. You should know that Heritage has done some truly amazing things to help "Make a Difference!" They collected donatins at lunch to help fund the project and sponsored "Hat Days," where students paid $1 for the privilege of wearing a hat during the school day. The created a "Lemonade Lobby" and sold lemons for $1 each to help decorate the lobby. Three classes (Advanced Foods, Geometry and Econ) baked goods for a bake sale. They held their Lemonade Stand on Friday, April 20th in conjunction with the Heritage Relays Track Meet. Hopefully, they had great weather! All in all, Heritage raised $500 to help further Alex's cause. Congratulations, Heritage! Please send us a video of your experiences to post on the website... we'd really love to hear your own words!

After you have counted your donations....

*Convert cash into a check or money order made payable to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Keep the checks together in an orderly fashion.

*Send in all of the proceeds to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation:

ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION
333 Lancaster Avenue #414
Wynnewood, PA 19096

Please direct any questions about donations to
610-649-3034 or via e-mail at
LisaTowry@alexslemonade.com.


Again - THANK YOU! You truly did make a difference!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Lemoncast Episode 2!


Check out the latest podcast from Cynwyd School! See what they're up to! Copy and paste this link into itunes to subscribe!
http://lemoncast.mypodcast.com/rss.xml

All are welcomed to send their own podcast to me at mcgeet@lmsd.org

See you on Thursday!

We've almost doubled last year's total!

We're just two days away from our wrap-up videoconference event! We can't wait to see your school's presentation! Believe it or not, we've almost DOUBLED last year's total!

Send us materials for the highlights video! We'll be putting together a short highlights video to play at the conclusion of the videoconference event. The only way we can include your school is if you send us material! Please send us video clips and photos, student sound bytes, etc. to include. Please email those materials to hlweisse@gmail.com (please do NOT use the hweisse@magpi.net email address). You can also post materials on an FTP site like YouSendIt.Com and invite me to download it. Materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.


Here's the final videoconference agenda:

Opening Remarks
Penn Wynne VJS
Introduction of Congressman Sestak
Penn Wynne VJS
Opening Remarks - Congressman Sestak
Congressman Sestak
School Presentation # 1
Penn Wynne Elementary School
School Presentation # 2
Williamstown High School
School Presentation # 3 (song)
St. Charles Elementary
Poetry Winner #1
TBD
School Presentation # 4
Onekama Middle School
School Presentation # 5 (song)
Avon Grove Intermediate School
Poetry Winner # 2
TBD
School Presentation # 6
Cheltenham High School
School Presentation # 7 (song)
Heritage Jr./Sr. High School
School Presentation # 8
East Bradford Elementary School
School Presentation # 9
Pocono Mountain East High School
Poetry Winner # 3
TBD
School Presentation # 10
Pierremont Elementary School
School Presentation # 11
Charleroi Area High/Middle School
School Presentation # 12
Phoenixville Area Middle School
Poetry Winner # 4
TBD
School Presentation # 13
Delaware Valley High School
School Presentation # 14 (song)
Comanche Elementary School
School Presentation # 15
Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences
Poetry Winner # 5
TBD
School Presentation # 16
Coppin Academy
School Presentation # 17
Squires Elementary School
School Presentation # 18
Cynwyd School
Poster Contest Winner Announced
TBD
Highlights Video
MAGPI (Intro by Penn Wynne VJs)
Wrap-Up
Penn Wynne VJs


Here are the fundraising totals thus far, as reported by some of our schools:

SCHOOL
TOTAL
Cheltenham High School
2,027.00
Comanche Elementary
163.72
Cynwyd Elementary School
1,163.70
East Bradford
1,189.00
Onekama Middle School
209.56
Phoenixville Area Middle School
170.00
Pierremont Elementary
524.84
Pocono Mt. East High School
247.74
St. Charles School
710.93
Squires Elementary
150.00
Williamstown High School
1,701.61


TOTAL
$8,258.10


Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report any day that you sell lemonade!


Don't forget to vote for your favorite poem!
Voting closes on TODAY a 5:00 p.m.


Don't forget abou THE LEMONCAST - - our project Podcast! Have a listen: http://lemoncast.mypodcast.com/index.html. We'd like to invite ALL OF YOU to create a podcast episode (even if you didn't sign up for the Lemoncast Project!). Have your class create a short podcast and email it to Tom McGee at mcgeet@lmsd.org. Tom will upload your LEMONCAST episode to the server. Don't forget to subscribe!

Friday, April 20, 2007

What a fantastic week!

What a fantastic week! There have been walk-a-thons, carnivals, poetry slams - - and of course, some fabulous lunchtime lemonade stands! We also launched our poetry contest - - and one assistant principal found himself in a sticky situation (duct-tape sticky, that is).

We've also launched the LEMONCAST - - our project Podcast! Have a listen! We'd like to invite ALL OF YOU to create a podcast episode (even if you didn't sign up for the Lemoncast Project!). Have your class create a short podcast and email it to Tom McGee at mcgeet@lmsd.org. Tom will upload your LEMONCAST episode to the server. Don't forget to subscribe!

Here are the fundraising totals thus far, as reported by some of our schools:

Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report any day that you sell lemonade!

Here are some of the great things schools are doing

East Bradford Elementary School: East Bradford held their Lemonade Taste Challenge this week - - and Liz Scott came as a guest!

Cheltenham High School: Thursday's totals reflect money raised through a Poetry Slam (held on March 23rd) and the Cheltenham Educators Association donations.

Cynwyd School: Cynwyd School celebrated "Making a Difference" with a school wide walk-a-thon. All 466 student and their teachers walked the 1/5 mile track for 1/2 hour. Children had done "random acts of kindess" receiving money to donate to Alex's Lemonade Stand. The total raised is not yet know as contributions are still coming in.

Williamstown High School: Students sold lemonade and paper lemons again Thursday during all lunch periods. They can't wait to see our Assistant Princpal Mr. Deal stuck to the wall today! They are selling 1 yard of duck tape for $1. Students hope all that all of the students and staff participate... Pictures will be sent!!
Don't forget to send us pictures and updates about what your school is doing!

Don't forget to vote for your favorite poem!
Voting closes on April 25, 2007 a 5:00 p.m.



Don't forget about upcoming deadlines!

Send us materials for the highlights video! We'll be putting together a short highlights video to play at the conclusion of the videoconference event. The only way we can include your school is if you send us material! Please send us video clips and photos, student sound bytes, etc. to include. Please email those materials to Heather Weisse at hlweisse@gmail.com. You can also post materials on an FTP site like YouSendIt.Com and invite me to download it. Materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

- The Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Steering Committee

Thursday, April 19, 2007

"Make a Difference" Poetry Contest - Voting Now Open!

The poetry contest is now OPEN! We have some fantastic entries this year! Send the link to all your family, friends, students and colleagues! Voting closes on Tuesday, April 25, 2007.


So far, we've raised $4,177.49 for Alex's project! Here's what's been reported so far:


Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report any day that you sell lemonade!

Here are some of the great things schools are doing

Cheltenham High School: Wednesday, Cheltenham sold cans of lemonade for those very thirsty supporters! The baked goods included lemon squares, lemon cookies and lemon tarts. Their homeroom classes are collecting money in envelopes given out by Student Council. They have lots of very committed students who setup, sell, and cleanup everyday. This endeavor is helping us all!

Don't forget to send us pictures and updates about what your school is doing!

Don't forget about upcoming deadlines!

Lemonade Stand Poster Contest Entries Due TOMORROW. If your school is participating in the Poster contest, entries are due on April 20, 2007. Each school can submit one entry. Rules and more information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poster.html.

- The Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Steering Committee

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Schools are doing some pretty cool things!

Things seem to be really going well this week and we've been getting reports on some amazing activities you all are doing! Read about them below. And be sure to check your email later today for instructions for next week's celebration videoconference event!

Here are the fundraising totals thus far, as reported by some of our schools:


Can you believe that we've already raised MORE than last year!? $3,597.64! That's incredible!

Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report any day that you sell lemonade!

Here are some of the great things schools are doing

St. Charles School: St. Charles students are hosting a virtual lemonade stand by selling “lemons” Students may write their own names on the lemons; in memory or a loved one; or in honor of someone. These lemons are hung on lemon trees in each wing of the school

One of St. Charles' own is currently undergoing radiation treatment. Yellow and red ribbons are sold for a $1.00 each and tied on the trees outside school in support of our friend Nick. (Yellow representing lemons and red representing Nick’s fantastic red hair… and you thought it was because their school colors are red and yellow!)

East Bradford Elementary School: East Bradford has their "Great Lemonade Challenge" tomorrow! They will have three grade levels competing for who has the best tasting Lemonade. $1.00 for a sampler of three.

Cheltenham High School: Besides selling lemonade, the Cheltenham Educators' Association held a Yellow Day on April 11th. Teachers wore yellow and contributed $5.00 towards Alex's Lemonade Stand. So far, they have collected $630.00 through CEA.

Williamstown High School: On Thursday, Williamstown High School Students took donations for yellow ribbons and received $148.16 in donations. On Friday they sold lemonade, soft pretzels and paper lemons for students to write their messages and names on. They raised $327.62 on Friday. On Monday, they sold lemonade and paper lemons and raised $186.21. So far they have collected $661.99 for Alex! They are looking forward to duck taping our Assistant Principal on Friday! (Williamstown, we want to see pictures of this!)

Don't forget to send us pictures and updates about what your school is doing!


Don't forget about upcoming deadlines!


Poetry Contest Entries Due TODAY! Your school can submit up to three entries for the "Alex's Lemonade Stand Poetry Contest." Entries are due to Heather via email by April 17, 2007. More information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poetry.html

Monday, April 16, 2007

First Full Week of Lemonade Sales!

Happy first full week of the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand project! We're absolutely astounded by what your schools are doing and how much of a difference each of you are making. We also celebrate GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY this week, so please keep that in mind as you are working on this project!

Here are the fundraising totals thus far, as reported by some of our schools:

Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report any day that you sell lemonade!

Because the weather today is so gloomy, we thought it might cheer you up to see what some schools are doing:

Cynwyd Elementary: Last Thursday, Cynwyd School held their first Alex’s Lemonade Stand. 5th grade students worked at the stand in shifts and also served lemonade at the Ice Cream Social held at the same time. We raised $235.25. Adding that to our online donations and classroom Random Acts of Kindness change jars, our total is now $854.35. We have increased our goal from the original 500 to $1,200. Please continue to support Team Cynwyd as we strive to reach our new goal and continue to make a difference!

To make the Cynwyd students aware of the upcoming walk-a-thon, 5th graders have been going into the other classrooms, telling about the Alex’s Lemonade Stand project, reading the book, Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand and explaining the walk-a-thon.

Delaware Valley High School: DVHS students are running a lemonade stand on April 24th at Delaware Valley 9/10 and 11/12 High School, on April 25th at Delaware Valley Middle School, and on April 26th at Delaware Valley Elementary School. We will be holding them during all school lunches as well as collecting donations from all teachers and families in the district.

Avon Grove Intermediate School is hosting a Lemonade Carnival next week from Tuesday, April 24th through Friday, April 27th. We can't wait to see the pictures, Avon Grove!

Don't forget to send us pictures and updates about what your school is doing! We'll post them in our LEMON NEWS and on the blog!


Don't forget about upcoming deadlines!

Poetry Contest Entries Due TOMORROW! Your school can submit up to three entries for the "Alex's Lemonade Stand Poetry Contest." Entries are due to Heather via email by April 17, 2007. More information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poetry.html

Lemonade Stand Poster Contest Entries Due April 20, 2007. If your school is participating in the Poster contest, entries are due on April 20, 2007. Each school can submit one entry. Rules and more information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poster.html.


- The Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Steering Committee

Friday, April 13, 2007

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!


Whoa, whoa, whoa!!! Great job everyone! You are all so impressive with what you are all doing! I can't believe the money that was raised in just two days! What a difference you are all making! I was just pondering on some ideas and need some help. Here's my challenge to all of you...If we raised all of the money in the world, would we be able to put an end to pediatric cancer? What would it take?

I'm just gonna leave it at that and open up a discussion. If you comment on this blog, please share your grade level and location. I'm curious to hear of your ideas.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

First Day of Lemonade Sales...

Today was the first day of lemonade stands for many schools! Believe it or not, we've collected more than $1000 already! Here's what's been reported so far:

SCHOOL

April 10, 2007

April 11, 2007

TOTAL

Cheltenham High School

$720.00


$720.00

Cynwyd Elementary

$500.00


$500.00

St. Charles School


$107.60

$107.60




$1,327.60


Remember to submit your daily fundraiser report!

We thought it might be interesting to give you a snapshot of what some schools are doing:

Cheltenham High School has already raised $600 through t-shirt sales (t-shirts were designed by a student) and selling lemons for their lemon tree! Students will be selling lemonade, lemon sticks, lemon squares, lemon cookies and Stacy’s Pita Chips from April 11th to April 25th.

Onekama Middle School will be setting up lemonade stands at lunch, communicating with other groups/schools across the US via the distance learning lab, and also writing to pen pals in Philadelphia. The Student Council members will be visiting classrooms to read a picture book about Alex and her dream to help promote the Lemonade Stands. Here's a photo of students from Onekama during yesterday's event. Check out what Onekama is doing by visiting their website!

Cynwyd Elementary School's first lemonade stand is tonight at 6:30-8pm at Cynwyd School. Their All-School Walk-a-Thon is Wednesday April 18 and they will be selling lemonade from 2:15-2:45pm, on the field. Classes are continually getting pledges for doing Random Acts of Kindness. Cynwyd set-up a First Giving website and has already collected $500 - - before even starting their lemonade stand sales!

Squires Elementary School students thought yesterday's event was "way cool" and are excited to begin their lemonade sales next week!

Penn Wynne Elementary School is waiting to hold their big lemonade stand in June; however, students are collecting soda can tabs for the Ronald Mc Donald House and are participating in the poetry contest, the pen pals, and the blogging!


Don't forget about upcoming deadlines!

Poetry Contest Entries Due April 17, 2007. Your school can submit up to three entries for the "Alex's Lemonade Stand Poetry Contest." Entries are due to Heather via email by April 17, 2007. More information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poetry.html

Lemonade Stand Poster Contest Entries Due April 20, 2007. If your school is participating in the Poster contest, entries are due on April 20, 2007. Each school can submit one entry. Rules and more information can be found at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade-poster.html.


Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Kick-Off Event - A Great Success!!

Today was our Kick-Off Virtual Spirt Festival Videoconference and it was a huge success! Many thanks to all those who participated! Our VJs, Anna and Jake, did a phenomenal job! It was great to hear about Alex from one of the people who knew her best - - her mom, Liz. The Whitehall High School band rocked the "Lemonade" song and we were completely amazed by everyone's Lemonade spirit! Watch the archived video of today's event!

Here are the Spirit Award Winners!

Lots of Lemon-y Enthusiasm: Avon Grove Intermediate School, East Bradford Elementary School, Cynwyd Elementary School
Creative Footwork: Cheltenham High School & St. Charles School
Amazing Original Lyrics: Pocono Mountain East
Catchy Commercial: Phoenixville Area Middle School
Lemon-y Dramatics: Delaware Valley High School
Lemon-y Cheerleaders: Penn Wynne Elementary School & Squires Elementary School
Great School Spirit: Comanche Elementary School, Pierremont Elementary School & Williamstown High School
Fantastic Lemon Shout-Outs: Charleroi High School, Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences, Heritage Jr./Sr. High School, Onekama Middle School

We know that not all of you had a chance to ask questions about Alex, so feel free and ask them here. We'll ask the Scott Family and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to check the Blog and respond.

If you have any messages for any of the great schools you saw on today's videoconference, post them here as well!

Again, GREAT JOB Everyone! We're looking forward to a fantastic two weeks!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Students To Take a “Virtual” Stand Against Cancer

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Students To Take a “Virtual” Stand Against Cancer
Alex's Lemonade Stand Goes High Tech, Videoconference to Link 1500 Students for Virtual Charity Event


WHEN: Wednesday, April 11, 2007, 11am EDT


WHAT: For the first time ever, over 1500 students across the country will be connected using high tech videoconference and networking technology to kick off a national community service event to help fight pediatric cancer.

The event is in support of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a national organization that grew out of the Philadelphia front yard lemonade stand started by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, a pediatric cancer patient. In 2000, at the age of four, Alex opened her first annual lemonade stand with high hopes of raising money for pediatric cancer causes. Every year thereafter, Alex held an annual lemonade stand in her Pennsylvania front yard and inspired others to donate money to the cause. While sadly, Alex lost her battle with cancer in 2004, her work has motivated students around the country to continue her charitable legacy.

“As a grassroots organization dedicated to children, we are always looking for ways to encourage young people to get involved,” said Liz Scott, Alex Scott’s mother and vice president of development for ALSF. “Using technology to allow children to videoconference with each other for a great cause is an exciting new way to further the awareness of childhood cancer.”

Over 19 schools are involved in the event from across the country and will be lead by Penn Wynne Elementary School in Lower Merion, PA where Alex attended school. After the videoconference rally, students will work for two weeks in their communities to raise money using their own lemonade stands and will report their fundraising totals on a daily basis via a special website. Throughout the two weeks, students involved will collaborate with each other through an online blog, a virtual pen pal program, special video collage projects, song and poem contests and a lemonade stand poster contest.

The two-week event will culminate in a final multi-site videoconference on April 26, 2007 with special guest speaker Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) who will join via videoconference from Washington D.C. The final event will provide an interactive platform for students to share their experiences and project accomplishments with peers from different regions of the U.S.

The Virtual Alex’s Lemonade Project has been coordinated by MAGPI and Alex’s Lemonade Stand with technical support from Internet2.

For full details of the event, visit: http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade.html


MEDIA ARE INVITED TO LOCAL VIDEOCONFERENCE SITES FOR THE EVENT.

The general public is invited to watch live by following http://commonsvcg.oar.net/MAGPI- click on Alex’s Lemonade Kick-Off under the live conferences category. For more information please contact: Heather Weisse, MAGPI Applications Coordinator at 215-573-6417 or hweisse@magpi.net.


WHERE: Schools participating in the Virtual Alex’s Lemonade Stand Project include:

Avon Grove Intermediate School - West Grove, PA
Charleroi Area High/Middle School - Charleroi, PA
Cheltenham High School - Wyncote, PA
Comanche Elementary- Comanche, OK
Coppin Academy - Baltimore, MD
Cynwyd School - Bala Cynwyd, PA
Delaware Valley High School - Milford, PA
East Bradford Elementary - West Chester, PA
Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences (From The National Constitution Center- Philadelphia, PA)
Heritage Junior/Senior High School - Monroeville, IN
Onekama Middle School - Onekama, MI
Penn Wynne Elementary School - Wynnewood, PA
Pierremont Elementary School - Manchester, MO
Phoenixville Area Middle School - Phoenixville, PA
Pocono Mountain East High School - Swiftwater, PA
St. Charles School - Lima, OH
Squires Elementary - Lexington, KY
Whitehall High School - Whitehall, PA
Williamstown High School - Williamstown, NJ


ABOUT THE ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (a registered 501c3 public charity) is a unique foundation that evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement to find a cure for childhood cancer. Since Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004) set up her front yard stand at the age of four, more than $10 million has been raised towards fulfilling her dream of finding a cure for all children with cancer.


ABOUT MAGPI

MAGPI provides regional and Internet2 connectivity to its member institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. A division of Information Systems and Computing at The University of Pennsylvania, MAGPI is committed to promoting advanced applications, collaborations, and services for the K20 research and education community through high performance networking technology. For more information about MAGPI, visit http://www.magpi.net

###

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Start planning now! Getting ready for your April Lemonade Stands!

In a little less than a month, we'll be gathering 'virtually' for our Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand Kick-Off Event! The planning team is very excited about this event, which features a live performance of the Alex's Lemonade song by Whitehall High School and remarks from Liz Scott, Alex Scott's mother and Vice President of Development for Alex's Lemonade Stand. Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Gerber will also be joining us!

It's time to start planning your
lemonade stands and how you'll implement the special projects in which your school will be participating. Schools participating in the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand project will have 2 weeks to host a Lemonade Stand. Schools can have a one-day lemonade stand fundraiser or hold a stand every day for the two week period or some other combination! Last year, some schools held special events during lunch while others invited the community to after school stands. One Philadelphia school held an "Alex's Water Ice" stand on their playground and sold hot dogs and water ice! We've included their pictures in this blog entry.

Need ideas? Not sure where to
start? Download the guide for setting up events, produced by Alex's Lemonade Stand! The guide, in PDF format, is available on the project website at: http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade.html.

In the next two weeks, each participating school will receive a package of resources from Alex's Lemonade Stand, including: return envelopes, banners, thank you notes, stickers, newsletter and brochures.

We're curious about what your
school will be doing! We currently have 15 schools signed up for this project (everywhere from Oklahoma to Ohio to Pennsylvania) and we know that each of you will be doing really interesting and inspiring things as part of this project. Let us know your plans by leaving a brief comment. This blog is an excellent way for us to brainstorm ideas together and learn from one another!

Thursday, March 01, 2007

So What Does It Mean To Make a Difference?


To me, making a difference happens in small ways. The simple things we do can make large ripples in the world. A simple idea like a lemonade stand has made millions for cancer research. The world needs more "good" in it. And it's the "simple good" that I'm referring to. There is a theory in science called the Chaos Theory (or butterfly effect). This theory suggests how simple things in nature can cause global effects on the environment. For example, the theory suggests how the flapping wings of a butterfly, causing a small whirl of wind, can cause an effect on a large ecosystem. This is a nice metaphor for making a difference in the world when things seem too challenging, or when we think the possible is impossible.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

JUST ANNOUNCED! Congressman Sestak to speak!

As part of the Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand closing celebration on April 26, 2007, Congressman Joe Sestak will speak with students from the Internet2 Corporate Offices in Washington, D.C.!

About Representative Sestak:
Joe Sestak is serving his first-term as the Representative from Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, which includes most of Delaware County and parts of Chester and Montgomery Counties.

Born and raised in Delaware County, Joe Sestak spent 31 years serving our nation in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of three-star Admiral.

Joe Sestak brings to Congress the same dedication and commitment with which he served this country in the Navy. As a member of Congress, Joe is working to strengthen our country's national security - national security that begins at home in the health, education, and economic promise of our people, as well as our defense security. Joe's primary focus is on fixing problems and moving our country forward - not on governing from the left or on the right.

During his distinguished career in the Navy, Joe led a series of operational commands, culminating in the command of the George Washington aircraft carrier battle group, which consisted of 30 U.S. and allied ships, 15,000 sailors, and close to 100 aircraft. Under Joe's watch, the George Washington battle group conducted combat operations in Afghanistan and precursor operations to the war in Iraq.

Joe also served in President Clinton's White House as the Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council. After 9/11, he was selected to serve as the first Director of "Deep Blue," the Navy's anti-terrorism unit where he worked to establish new strategies for the Navy to fight the Global War on Terror.

After graduating from Cardinal O'Hara High School, Joe followed in the footsteps of his father, a Navy captain who served in World War II, and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated second in his class. Joe also holds a MPA, and a PhD in Political Economy and Government, from Harvard University.

Joe has one brother and six sisters. He and his wife, Susan, have a daughter, Alexandra.

More information about Representative Sestak can be found at: http://www.sestakforcongress.com/.

Find out more about the celebration videoconference event at http://www.magpi.net/programs/alexslemonade.html.