Vance youth make lemonade for cancer cure

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force BAse, Okla. --  All across America, children's lemonade stands were quenching thirst and fighting childhood cancer this past weekend.
Vance Air Force Base youth center members joined the cause for the fourth year in a row
June 9, contributing more than $600 to the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
"I feel good knowing I'm helping kids who are sick," said Jaxson Moore, 7-year-old son of Lori and Capt. Christopher Moore, 8th Flying Training Squadron. "My favorite part is just working and pouring the lemonade."
Kim Winfield, youth center registrar, said she brought the idea to the children after seeing a stand in Oklahoma City four years ago. Alex's Lemonade Stands are run across the country during the same weekend each year, according to the foundation's Web site. So Ms. Winfield researched the foundation online to find out how the center could operate a stand of its own.
"Then I told the children about the stand at our kid's council meeting," Ms. Winfield said. "They liked the idea so much, we had a stand that year, even though it wasn't the same weekend. The meeting is held every year, and it's a unanimous vote to do the stand every time."
For Kevin Curttright, 71st Operations Group honorary commander and owner of Curttright Honda in Enid, and Tyler Kallsen, youth center staff member and son of Jody and Lt. Col. Kevin Kallsen, 5th FTS, contributing to the event hits close to home. Mr. Curttright and his wife, Michelle, lost their son, Kraig, to a pediatric cancer in 2003 and set up a scholarship in his name. Mr. Curttright visited the youth center's stand to contribute in his son's memory.
Tyler was this year's recipient of the Curttrights' scholarship and will graduate the same year Kraig would have.
"I like being able to give back to this cause, and help others fight what Mr. Curttright's son went through," Tyler said. "I also participated in Relay For Life (the American Cancer Society's national overnight walk to celebrate survivorship and raise money for cancer research and support programs) when I was at school at (Oklahoma University)."
Ms. Winfield said youth center members will continue to set up the stand to help children across the country.
"They hear the word 'cancer' all the time and understand many people like the Curttrights have lost young loved ones," she said. "They like knowing there's something they can do to help fight the cancer battle."
For more information about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation or to start a stand, visit www.alexslemonade.com.