NEW ORLEANS – On Saturday, April 30, 2016, more than 20,000 children across Louisiana are expected to participate in the sixth annual Lemonade Day. This year's program is set to be the largest to date, since entrepreneurs John Georges and Todd Graves introduced the program in 2010.
Lemonade Day Louisiana Co-Founder/ Georges Enterprises CEO John Georges and First NBC Bank President/ CEO Ashton Ryan, Jr. will be joined by special guests: Miss Louisiana USA 2016 Maaliyah Papillion, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2016 Ellie Picone, the Saintsations, New Orleans Saints Mascots Gumbo and Sir Saint, Pelicans Cheerleaders, and dozens of youth to announce the official kick-off of Lemonade Day Louisiana at a special press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, hosted by Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, 5100 Orleans Ave.
The event will kick-off in Baton Rouge on Thursday, March 17, 2016.
Online registration for this year's program will begin on March 1, 2016.
"Lemonade Day is an annual tradition in Louisiana and celebrating our sixth year anniversary is a milestone in itself,” Georges said. “We are confident that this program will have a significant impact on our future business leaders for many years to come, I am challenging the entire state for a sixth time to get involved and help us open more than 20,000 new businesses on Lemonade Day."
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, the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, First NBC Bank, CSRS, Inc. and a host of statewide corporate sponsors and partners.
On Lemonade Day, everyone has an important job to do to support these future entrepreneurs. The entire community is encouraged to purchase lemonade from the many stands that will be set-up throughout the state on Saturday, April 30.
"The response to this program has been overwhelming the past few years," said Graves, founder and CEO of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. "It's a true testament to Louisiana's commitment to business, entrepreneurship and training the next generation of business leaders. Raising Cane's is honored to be a part of Lemonade Day Louisiana."
Lemonade Day Louisiana is a free, community-wide program that fosters entrepreneurship and character development among Louisiana's youth by supporting them in establishing and operating their own lemonade businesses. Young entrepreneurs are provided with a free backpack, which contains detailed support materials including an Entrepreneur Workbook to help them establish their lemonade stand. These entrepreneurs are advised to spend a little, save a little and share a little by donating a portion of their proceeds to a local charity of their choice. After covering their expenses and paying back their investors, children are encouraged to open a youth savings account.
Registration and participation is free and all youngsters are encouraged to participate.
