People line up at Alex's Lemonade Stand outside Berk Enterprises, Inc. Friday for a lemonade...by R. Michael Semple

WARREN — Many local businesses give back to their communities and to charities through fundraisers.

On Friday, Berk Enterprises, the maker of concession supplies, benefited Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“Berk began our partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in 2024 by designing specialty cups just for their organization,” said Reilly Berk, president & CEO of Berk Enterprises, Inc. “Since this is our first official year working together, we wanted to dive in and support in a hands-on way. Hosting our own lemonade stand felt like a perfect way to show our commitment and help make a difference.”

In 2000, 4-year-old Alex Scott, who was fighting cancer, decided to have a lemonade stand to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, family support and to help find a cure for all children.

“I met Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and co-executive director of the foundation in 2024. We had an instant connection. As a woman-owned business that helped pioneer the iconic lemonade cups seen at fairs across the country, the collaboration felt like a natural fit. Since then, we’ve rebranded one of our best-selling lemonade cups in ALSF’s colors of blue and yellow and donate a portion of every case sold. We also launched a second cup design for others to use when hosting their own stands,” Berk said.

The initial goal for the lemonade stand was $2,500 dollars, but by noon, they already had surpassed that amount.

“We are at $9,000 right now, and our new goal by the end of the day is $10,000,” Berk said.

Many people showed their support for Berk Enterprises’ philanthropic effort including its employees, the local community, families and local organizations.

Riley Curd, a recent John F. Kennedy High School graduate, represented Game Changers at the event. It offers volunteer opportunities for John F. Kennedy and Warren G. Harding athletes and graduating seniors.

“I think this is a great way to spread the word about Alex’s Lemonade Stand and I am posting on social media for people who could not attend today, so that they can still donate online,” Curd said.

Warren Rotary members Julia Wetstein and Dr. Ken LaPolla came to support Berk, who is also a member of Warren Rotary.

Vicki Brady of Champion had a personal reason for coming to the event.

“My niece passed away from bladder cancer. She wasn’t a child, but she was young to have this form of cancer,” Brady said.

Even former Berk Enterprise employees such as Beth Sanders supported the cause.

Four generations of the Fileger family came to the fundraising event.

“Berk Enterprises supports so many worthy causes. They are always doing something to help out,” said Barbara Fileger of Johnston.

Her daughter, Amanda Morris, works in sales at Berk Enterprises.

Morris held her 8-week-old granddaughter, Violet Orr, at the event while her daughters, Sydney Orr and Sadey Morris, contributed to the fundraiser.

Morris’s aunt and uncle, Patricia and Richard Brannon of Vienna, said that they came to the event to support the charity and their niece’s place of employment.

The month of June is designated Lemonade Days during which Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation encourages a month of fundraisers around the country. Because of the success of their first endeavor, Berk Enterprises will likely participate again next year.