The Los Angeles community gathered for an afternoon of gourmet cuisine from the nation’s top chefs while raising money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Alex Lentz, David Lentz, Caroline Styne, Suzanne Goin, Liz Scott and Jay Scott at L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade Stand; PHOTO BY ABIMAGES 2O24
Held on the picturesque Royce Quad on UCLA’s campus, the 12th annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand drew a crowd of more than 2,000 people for an afternoon of sipping, tasting and raising a record-breaking $1.7 million for childhood cancer research.
A classic 80-degree day in Los Angeles was the perfect setting for this outdoor picnic-style event, with culinary tents lining the perimeter of the quad and beverage tents on the inside. Within the first few steps, you’d have both hands full with tapas-sized bites from the nation’s top chefs, like Nancy Silverton and her fan-favorite corn dogs, while spotting celebs such as Jimmy Kimmel, Jesse Taylor Ferguson, Camilla Belle, Lennie James and Shawn Ashmore, just to name a few.
Thai eggplant tacos by Kris Yenbamroong of Night + Market; PHOTO BY ABIMAGES 2024
The one-of-a-kind cuisine had everyone going back for seconds and even braving the mile-long line for Adam Perry Lang’s famed short ribs from APL barbecue. To wash it all down, guests ventured over for strong yet refreshing pours from Death & Co, Craftsman Brewing, Pearl Social and many more.
As the evening’s program kicked off, attendees grabbed vibrant bouquets from Dandelion Ranch and took the opportunity for one last bite before gathering near the stage. The crowd was moved as Jay and Liz Scott, parents of Alexandra “Alex” Scott and co-executive directors of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, addressed the audience. The couple shared the profound mission of the foundation and inspired everyone to take action in the fight against childhood cancer.
Liz Scott passionately remarked, “That is why we come together year after year, and we will keep doing that until we can say we’ve finished the job that Alex started nearly 25 years ago. She just wanted to do better for kids with cancer.”
The foundation began with a simple yet powerful concept conceived by their daughter, Alexandra. At just four years old, Alex, who was battling cancer herself, came up with the idea to host a lemonade stand to raise money for a cure. Although she tragically passed away at the age of eight, Alex had already raised $1 million for cancer research, sparking a lasting legacy that continues to change lives.
Kris and Sarah Yenbamroong share their touching story; PHOTO BY ABIMAGES 2024
In an emotional moment, all eyes turned to the local restauranteurs, the Yenbamroongs, who bravely shared the heartbreaking story of their son, Mark. Just two months prior, Mark lost his battle against two types of cancer. In remembrance of his brave fight, high school senior Alex Lentz, chair of The Kids Campaign, announced that the $136,000 raised through this year’s lemonade stands and restaurant partnerships would be dedicated to his memory.
“We have a grip-it-and-rip-it attitude toward life,” said Sarah Yenbamroong. “But when it became clear that the chemo no longer worked, we reached out to Liz [Scott] for help. And help she did. We saw firsthand that when you have people like Alex’s Lemonade Stand in your corner, anything is possible—even what feels impossible.”
To learn more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, visit alexslemonade.org.
Photography by: ABImages 2024
