FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - A rite of passage for many kids in the summer is having their own lemonade stand that if they're lucky will bring in a sawbuck or two.

For Lewis F. Mayer Middle School students Nola Foote, 11, Elizabeth Hille, 11, Andrew Hille, 11, and Gilles-Sweet Elementary student Graham Foote, 8, the group of siblings and friends set the bar a bit higher with their annual tart and tangy outdoor business venture.

The benevolent bunch spent a week this past July quenching passerby thirst and in the process raised more than $2,170 for Alex's Lemonade Stand, a charitable organization with funds going to childhood cancer research.

"My daughter, Nola, started the first year with the lemonade stand that raised around $400," said Christine Foote. "Then the second year her brother and two friends joined on. All four of them are really giving and really want to help kids with cancer live regular lives.

"Each summer the two families alternate locations. It's kind of become a quintessential summer event because the same faces come by to show their support."

Started in the summer of 2012, the lemonade stand has so far raised more than $5,000. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation sends the kids a thank you letter and certificates, as well as thank you notes for them to hand out to donors.

"Each year, we hold the Alex's Lemonade Stand because we know that having this event helps fund research to find a cure for childhood cancer," Nola said. "We know that this research saves the lives of kids like us."

Elizabeth said the entire lemonade stand experience taught her group of friends how a small event can create a big outcome.

"We also learned that a community can come together and raise a lot of money for Childhood Cancer Research," Elizabeth said. "Everyone was so generous."

Added Andrew, "It's amazing how many people donate to such a wonderful cause. It's become a summer tradition for our families and friends."

Foote said she expects that tradition to continue next summer with the families hoping to bring in even more money.

"We haven't set a goal for next year, but I would say it will go up, maybe $2,500 perhaps," Foote said. "It's a really fulfilling experience to do as a family and in partnership with another family to help the community and help kids with cancer."