May 2: Young Entrepreneurs to Serve Up Lemonade Day Across the U.S.

Tomorrow, young and aspiring entrepreneurs [think "Family Ties"' briefcase-toting Alex P. Keaton, portrayed by the inimitable Michael J. Fox] in cities from coast to coast will gather for hands-on lessons about the importance of doing good while doing well. Glass by glass, boys and girls in grades pre-K through 12 will celebrate Lemonade Day, a unique experiential learning opportunity combining academics and life skills to teach youth about entrepreneurship.

Lemonade Day is an initiative organized by Prepared 4 Life, a growing nonprofit network of communities devoted to developing meaningful outreach and educational opportunities for young people. The program is designed to teach children how to start, own and operate their own business -- a lemonade stand, an iconic American symbol of entrepreneurship. It provides an opportunity for families, businesses, faith-based community organizations and schools to come together for a common purpose: to train the next generation of entrepreneurs through a free, fun, engaging and experiential activity.

Young Lemonade Day entrepreneurs keep everything they earn. In the spirit of a true business, they are encouraged to open a savings account; pay back investors; and make a further investment in their community by donating a portion of their profits to a charity of their choice.

The annual event started in 2007, with just three flagship cities: Austin, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; and Wayne County, Ind. In 2010, 11 metropolitan cities have been added: Atlanta, Ga.; Chicago, Ill.; Dallas-Ft. Worth, Tex.; Denver, Colo.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Los Angeles, Cal.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; San Antonio, Tex.; San Francisco Bay Area, Cal.; and Washington, D.C. Additional communities include Durham, N.C. and East Hartford, Conn.

Through sponsorships, companies can donate or become a partner. Businesses are also encouraged to get employees involved by distributing information, or even creating a companywide family event around Lemonade Day.

For information about how your business or organization can get involved in future Lemonade Day events, visit http://www.LemonadeDay.org/. Or, you can contact Julie Eberly at jeberly@prepared4life.org.

SOURCE: Prepared 4 Life
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