Reading Rage Press Release - www.readingrage.com

Tuesday, April 25

READING, PA – The Reading Rage and three Applebee’s Restaurants in the greater-Reading area are partnering to raise awareness of childhood cancer through sponsorship of an Alex’s Lemonade Stand (www.alexslemonade.org) at all of the Reading Rage home games.

In 2000, a four-year old cancer patient named Alexandra “Alex” Scott announced a seemingly simple idea – she was holding a lemonade stand to raise money to help “her doctors” find a cure for kids with cancer. The idea was put into action by Alex and her older brother, Patrick, when they set up the first “Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer” on their front lawn in July of 2000.

For the next four years, despite her deteriorating health, Alex held an annual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research. Following her inspirational example, thousands of lemonade stands and other fundraising events have been held across the country by children, schools, businesses and organizations, all to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer.

On August 1, 2004, Alex died peacefully at the age of eight. She had raised over $1 million for childhood cancer research in her short lifetime. Applebee’s Restaurants in the mid-Atlantic region have raised over $800,000 since August 2005 for this cause and continue to broaden the scope of how they raise money.

“Like the Reading Rage, Applebee’s looks to apply the team concept in all that we do,” said James Ballentine, Applebee’s Manager in Wyomissing, PA. “Working as a team with the Rage and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation will surely result in helping the Rose Group to reach our $1,000,000 goal for Alex’s Lemonade Stand.”

Archie Moylan, a founder of the Rage and former player, coach and general manager passed away due to cancer in 2000. This led to United Soccer Leagues establishing the Archie Moylan Award to recognize a member of the USL family that has shown great courage or dedicated humanitarianism.

Parallel to the Operations Mission of the local Applebee’s restaurants: “Passionately do the right thing for the guest, the team and the neighborhood,” the Reading Rage is proud to be partnered with a local business presence who shares this vision for the local community and for a great organization like the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“Raising awareness and money for cancer research is part of the Rage history,” said Rage G.M. Art Auchenbach. “Our team has witnessed the physical and emotional damage this disease causes individuals, families and organizations. We are proud to play a small part in the valiant battle against this menacing disease. The Reading Rage looks forward to the local soccer community support of our ongoing fight against cancer.”

About the Reading Rage
The Rage Soccer Club was founded in 1995 and competes in the United Soccer League’s (USL), Premier Development League (PDL), Northeast Region. With the Rage Super Y-League teams, the Rage Youth teams, and Mini Academies, the club offers a full range of developmental opportunities for players from beginner to professional level play. The Rage purpose is to promote high-level soccer for serious players in our region through a professional, long-term approach instilling life-long values that carry beyond the soccer field.

For additional information regarding the Reading Rage PDL, please contact Rage PDL General Manager, Art Auchenbach at (610) 927-4474 or email at aauchenbach@bsarage.com. Any questions regarding the Rage Youth Teams should be directed to Rage Soccer Club Executive Director, Karen Carles (kcarles@bsarage.com). Additional club information can also be found at www.readingrage.com.

About the Rose Group
The Rose Group, headquartered in Newtown, PA, is the 35th largest restaurant franchise company in the United States. They currently own and operate 54 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants in eastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. The company was recently selected as the first franchisee for Corner Bakery Cafe and plans to add approximately 25 new Corner Bakery Cafe units in the Philadelphia and South Jersey markets. The Rose Group also co-owns and operates The Shannon Rose, an independent Irish pub and restaurant in North Jersey. More information on The Rose Group can be found on their web site at www.therosegroup.com.