Project Lemon-Aid: Raising Money for Westside Public Schools Through Online Auction

By Samantha Bonar Tue., Aug. 10 2010 at 10:36 AM

Categories: Fundraisers, L.A. Restaurants

Flickr/RPG Master

"When life gives you lemons, go lemon your teacher's house," certain children have been known to say. But clearly not the ones behind Project Lemon-Aid, which began in June when Westside schoolchildren began running lemonade stands to raise money to save their teachers and programs from state budget cuts to public education. Their efforts blossomed across the city, and dozens of lemonade stands continue to appear several times a week, raising more than $20,000 to date.

Several local chefs, restaurants and food writers have joined forces with the resourceful youngsters to help them raise money for the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation campaign to Save Our Schools by auctioning food items and experiences online. The Project Lemon-Aid auction continues until August 13 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Auction items include a private baking class for six people with pastry chef Zoe Nathan of Huckleberry, a Sweet Rose Creamery mobile ice cream party for up to 30 people, dinner for four at Akasha restaurant, and artisanal cocktail tasting and dinner for four at the Village Idiot. There are also opportunities to explore beer, wine, cheese, coffee and the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Minimum bids start as low as $30.

Simply register, start bidding and prepare to chow down. Oh, and if you pass a lemonade stand with kids yelling and waving signs, don't pretend you don't see them--stop and buy a cup or two.