After the darkness, the dawn.

From WPVI-TV in Philadelphia:

ARDMORE, Pa. (AP) - August 3, 2006 - Organizers at the headquarters of Alex's Lemonade Stand charity are stiffening security measures after donations were stolen Thursday.

After learning that four teens broke into the headquarters of Alex's Lemonade Stand and robbed the charity, people in the Delaware Valley are feeling charitable -- opening their wallets to help replace what was stolen.

The charity has been raising money for pediatric cancer research since 2000. Alex Scott set up the first stand in her front yard. Since her death two years ago, her parents have been keeping her legacy alive through the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Last weekend four juveniles broke into the organization's Ardmore headquarters and made off with money earned by kids nationwide to help the charity.

Security video shows four people in hooded shirts breaking into the Haverford Township office, the foundation said.

"I'd like to think if they're young, they didn't really understand what it means to take from charity ... and how important it is to people to know their money is going to where it's supposed to," said Liz Scott, Alex's mother and the foundation's vice president.

How old must one be to understand the concepts of charity and theft?

Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the 8-year-old's death from neuroblastoma. The break-in occurred sometime last weekend.

"It was quite an emotional week," Scott said.

Nonetheless, she vowed to stay focused on positive developments. She said many young people have worked to help make the foundation a success.
Alex's Lemonade Stand at the Applebees on West Chester Pike opened shortly before noon on Friday, and it was quickly doing a brisk business.

The timing could not be better, because the organization needs the donations more than ever before.

"We hoping our guests will come out and help us, and they have been so good in the past," explained Jeff Gordon of Applebees. " Last year we raised over $166,000. This year, we are hoping to raise over $200,000. Early indications are we are going to exceed that goal."

Applebees has raised $20,000 in the first two days of the campaign, which will continue through the month.