NEW ORLEANS – Lemonade Day Louisiana Co-Founder and Georges Enterprises CEO John Georges joined Miss Louisiana USA 2017 Bethany Trahan, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2017 Hailey Crausby, Lemonade Day Louisiana New Orleans City Champion Larry Gibbs, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans President Larry Washington as well as statewide business leaders, community partners and dozens of youth from across the metro area yesterday, Monday, March 20, to kickoff Lemonade Day Louisiana in New Orleans with special press conference at Junior Achievement.
"The growth and sustainability of Lemonade Day are a testament to how beneficial and necessary experiential learning programs are for the children of Louisiana," said John D. Georges, Lemonade Day Louisiana co-founder. "Just look at the success of Junior Achievement and programs that provide a hands-on, enjoyable learning experience that positively shape our entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders of the future."
"I am truly humbled and honored to serve as this year's New Orleans City Champion," said Larry Gibbs, Gibbs Construction CEO. "I am really excited about Lemonade Day Louisiana because of the business experience it gives to our youth. I encourage everyone in the community to support this organization in some way, whether it's donating money to help a kid open a lemonade stand or driving around to different lemonade stands on May 6th to purchase lemonade from these young entrepreneurs."
Lemonade Day is a free, fun, experiential learning program that teaches kids how to start, own and operate their very own business – a lemonade stand. Lemonade Day has spread to over 57 cities in 23 states and three countries. Lemonade Day will take place in Louisiana on Saturday, May 6.
"It is only appropriate that Junior Achievement supports the efforts of Lemonade Day because of how our missions align," said Larry Washington, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans president. "It's important that organizations like Lemonade Day work to develop professionalism, teamwork ethics and to evoke the spirit of entrepreneurship in our youth. Not only is Lemonade Day an ideal introduction to business skills but life skills as well."
Junior Achievement is a nonprofit economic education organization that fosters work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills through experiential learning to inspire kids to dream big and reach their full potential.
"We are so grateful to have partners like Junior Achievement that embody the entrepreneurial spirit of Lemonade Day Louisiana," said Jordan Piazza, executive director of Lemonade Day Louisiana. "Junior Achievement is an excellent place to facilitate Lemonade day because of our shared passion for teaching business skills and life skills to our youth."
More than 25,000 youth across Louisiana are expected to participate in the program this year. Each child that registers receives a free backpack with an Entrepreneur Workbook or access to an online interactive program that teaches them the valuable lessons of Lemonade Day, including how to set a goal, make a plan, work the plan and achieve their dreams. Once a youth pays their investor back, they keep all of the money they earn and are encouraged to spend some, save some, and share some of their profit. On Lemonade Day, everyone has an important job to support these future entrepreneurs, event organizers said. The entire community is encouraged to purchase lemonade from the many stands that will be set-up throughout the state on Saturday, May 6. Registration and participation are free, and all youngsters are encouraged to participate.
More than 30 corporate sponsors have teamed up to once again bring Lemonade Day to Louisiana, including Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, The New Orleans Advocate, Gibbs Construction, MAPP Construction, Savage Services and a host of statewide corporate sponsors and partners.
Since 2010, Lemonade Day Louisiana has provided more than 100,000 youth across Louisiana with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. This year's program is set to be the largest to date since entrepreneurs John Georges and Todd Graves introduced the program to Louisiana youth, event organizers said.
View a video about Lemonade Day
