Mercury Insurance and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Turn a Kia Into Money for Pediatric Cancer Research

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 4, 2012) – Mercury Insurance and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) partnered June 4 to auction a 2012 Kia Optima SX, with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards pediatric cancer research. The Kia, available to nearly 650 online and live bidders at an Insurance Auto Auctions branch in Anaheim, Calif., reached a final sale price of $10,000.

“We’re extremely fortunate to be involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation,” said Karin Herman, mother of Elijah Herman, an ALSF hero from Culver City. “Today we were able to sell lemonade, cookies and a Kia, with all of the proceeds going to ‘fight the dragon’ (cancer) in children.”

Alex’s Lemonade Stand is a national fundraising movement founded to raise money to find a cure for children with cancer.

“This is great! I get to make new friends and it is always fun to sell lemonade,” said Elijah, now 4, who was diagnosed in December 2010 with leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments through February 2014.

Mercury Insurance, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is a frequent participant in local and regional charities and has recently become involved with ALSF, which was given life by pediatric cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott in 2000 when she setup a lemonade stand to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer.

“Mercury is very active in the communities we serve,” said Joanna Moore, Mercury’s chief claims officer. “Helping people is our business and it’s what our claims team does every day. Events such as this one serve as a reminder to us all that we can do great things together and we’re proud to support these brave kids and their families.”

Thousands of Alex’s Lemonade Stands will pop-up from coast to coast during National Lemonade Days (June 8-10). Donations can be made through June 22, either in person at an Insurance Auto Auctions branch or online at http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/midwest-lemonade-days.

ABOUT MERCURY INSURANCE (www.mercuryinsurance.com)

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents in California, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, New York, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices – core values that distinguish Mercury in the marketplace.

ABOUT ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION (www.AlexsLemonade.org)

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $50 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 200 pediatric cancer research projects nationally.

Lemonade Days is a national event that grew out of Alex’s front yard lemonade stand, and is held every year over the same June weekend. During Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex’s Lemonade Stands across the country, raising over $1 million for childhood cancer research in one weekend. June 8 - 10 marks the 9th annual Lemonade Days, with an estimated 10,000 volunteers working at over 2,000 Alex’s Lemonade Stands around the nation to make a difference for children with cancer.