A month-long campaign this July marks the 11th straight year that franchisees of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar have supported Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a national charity that funds childhood cancer research. More than 1,000 Applebee’s restaurants nationwide will work toward raising $7 million total in 2016.

As part of the brand’s broader Applebee’s Serves program, participating restaurants will raise funds in support of ALSF. Fundraising efforts, which vary by participating restaurant, include donating a portion of each lemonade sale (all varieties) through the restaurants’ Citrus Summer Squeeze promotion to ALSF. Applebee’s guests may also have an opportunity to donate to ALSF through the purchase of a paper lemon in support of childhood cancer research and some participating restaurants will be hosting a variety of events, including lemonade stands, golf tournaments, donation nights and more.

Last year Applebee’s raised $1.1 million to fight childhood cancer, and have generated almost $6 million since the partnership began in 2005.

“The Apple American Group and Applebee’s partnerships with Alex’s Lemonade Stand are extremely important to our organization and our neighborhood communities,” said Diann Banaszek, marketing partner of Apple American Group, a participating Applebee’s franchise organization. “Since we first began supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Applebee’s participation has grown significantly. We are pleased that over 1,000 locations, including all of our 475 restaurants, will be joining in the fight against childhood cancer this year. With the outpouring of support from our guests and fellow franchise groups, we’re expecting this year’s fundraiser to be the most successful yet.”

“We are honored to continue our partnership with Applebee’s restaurants,” said Liz Scott, co-executive director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “Through the efforts of their generous franchisees, we are moving closer to achieving the dream of my daughter Alex, a cure for all kids with cancer.”

The promotion runs through July 31.

Local participating Applebee’s restaurants include the locations at 24 Midway Road in Cranston’s Garden City Center; 300 Quaker Lane in Warwick; and 446 Putnam Pike in Smithfield.