On June 18th, 500 young entrepreneurs aged 5-18 from all across Franklin County will rush to specified Home Depot locations to kick-off Youth Lemonade Day. At these locations, they will pick up Lemonade Day backpacks filled to the brim with educational materials to help them learn about the leadership and responsibility needed to run a small business. The event is Franklin County’s spin on National Lemonade Day, in which kids across the country all set up lemonade stands on the same day in order to learn some of the aspects of operating a small business.
Franklin County’s youth will officially set up shop to sell lemonade for the 1st Annual Youth Lemonade Day in hopes of winning one of the top titles including Best Stand and the Top Seller. Each participant will also be entered to win a trip to King’s Island. On June 21st and June 28th, participants will attend “Business and Building” workshops that discuss topics such as Developing a Business Plan, Securing Investors, and Giving Back to the Community. These workshops are sponsored through a grant to the National C.E.O. Leadership Institute, which will conduct the workshops, monitor the events, and provide curriculum that includes a 10-step guide to take youth’s ideas from a “dream to a reality.” E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. is among the additional sponsors, including providing two scholarships, helping to make this event possible for Franklin County’s driven youth.
To help support disadvantaged youth to participate, donate to the “Seed Capital” fundraising program. Check out Youth Lemonade Day’s website to volunteer or register for the event.