BUDA — Johnson High School football players Warner Erwin and Joe Margiotta are working with Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Kohl’s Champions Kick It For Cancer to raise money for childhood cancer research.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) began as a lemonade stand run by 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, with help from her parents and older brother Patrick. Alex had been diagnosed with cancer just before her first birthday. Her first lemonade stand raised $2,000 in one day and all the money was donated to help find a cure for cancer.
In 2004, Alex died at the age of 8 years old. ALSF was founded by her parents a year later in 2005 to fund research into a cure for childhood cancer, as well as grants, which are used to improve the quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer. Since its inception, ALSF has raised more than $300 million and has funded over 1,500 research grants, according to its website.
Kohl’s Champions Kick It For Cancer is an organization that benefits ALSF and is specifically used by athletes to raise money. Funds are donated per accomplishment during the season or specified amount of time, such as a kick, punt or long-snap. Onetime donations are also accepted.
Margiotta, a senior kicker, has played football since seventh grade and is in his second year of supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand through the sport.
“I do this fundraiser because I had a childhood best friend pass away from cancer. I believe that using my platform as a space to give them more resources to research is a good thing,” said Margiotta. “I want to make about $500 this year. That's my goal, but anything over that would just be a blessing.”
Also a senior this year, Erwin, a long snapper, was inspired to fundraise for this cause because of his former teammate who was diagnosed with cancer as a child, and therefore, was unable to continue playing football.
“I wanted to do this fundraiser to be able to kind of give back to that and maybe we can prevent some of that stuff from happening in the future,” said Erwin, who currently has 22 out of his 100 snap goal. “My goal is just to raise as much money as possible. I think any amount going towards cancer research is good, just as much as we can do and as much as we can donate.”
Both of the fundraisers are running through the end of the season, and as far as the team makes it into the playoffs. Margiotta plans on supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand next year as well, while playing collegiate football.
To help Erwin and Margiotta to meet their goals, they ask that the community support them by coming out to the games and pledging support to their fundraisers.
Visit www. alexslemonade.org/2024/ warners-snap-it-55 and www.alexslemonade. org/2024/joes-kick-itfor- cancer for more information.
PHOTO BY ASHLEY KONTNIER Warner Erwin (No. 55) lines up to practice at Johnson High School in Buda. With his teammate Joe Margiotta, Erwin is working with Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Kohl’s Champions Kick It For Cancer to raise money for childhood cancer research.
PHOTO BY ASHLEY KONTNIER Warner Erwin and Joe Margiotta pose after morning practice. Together, they are working to raise money for childhood cancer research.
