NEW ORLEANS – Over the past five years, Lemonade Day Louisiana has provided more than 50,000 kids across Louisiana with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. On Saturday, May 2, 2015, these young entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the 5th annual Lemonade Day, which is set to be the largest to date, since entrepreneurs John Georges and Todd Graves introduced the program in 2010.
"Lemonade Day has become an annual tradition here in Louisiana and will have a significant impact on our future business leaders for decades to come," Lemonade Day Louisiana Co-Founder, The Advocate publisher and Georges Enterprises CEO John Georges said. "I am once again challenging the entire state to get involved and help us open more than 18,000 new businesses on Lemonade Day."
"We are overwhelmed by the success of this program in the past five years," Todd Graves, Founder, CEO, Fry Cook and Cashier of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, said. "We look forward to growing the next generation of Louisiana entrepreneurs for years to come."
Georges and Graves joined Saints Alumni Player Deuce McAllister, First NBC Bank President and CEO Ashton Ryan, Rouses Markets Managing Partner Donny Rouse, Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge Foundation President and CEO Layne McDaniel, Lemonade Day National President Ron Batts, and special guests Miss Louisiana USA 2015 Candice Bennatt, Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik, the Saintsations, New Orleans Saints Mascots Gumbo and Sir Saint, Pelicans Cheerleaders and dozens of youngsters to announce the official kick-off and 5th year celebration of Lemonade Day Louisiana at a press event yesterday.
In addition to Crescent Bank Chairman and CEO Gary Solomon, Sr., serving as this year's New Orleans City Champion for Lemonade Day, Acadian Companies Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag, Rouse, McDaniel, Saints Player Thomas Morstead, Miss Louisiana USA 2015 Candice Bennatt, and Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik, will serve as statewide city champions and celebrity spokespersons for this year's program.
"One of my fondest memories is my first business enterprise, I would sell my old toys" said Solomon. "I am honored to be involved in Lemonade Day and know this day will impact thousands of children today, as did selling my used toys impacted my life."
The New Orleans Advocate, The Advocate, The Acadiana Advocate, and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, are among this year's leading sponsors for Lemonade Day Louisiana.
"We support Lemonade Day because we believe that it teaches children the lessons, not only to be successful in business, but to be successful in life," said McDaniel. "Lessons like setting goals, planning, budgeting, saving, working with others, and much more. "It is an organization and program that we truly believe in."
"I am really excited about Lemonade Day Louisiana because of the business experience it gives to our youth and because it also promotes giving back to the community," said Zuschlag. "I encourage everyone in the community to support this organization in some way."
"We were once a food start up ourselves," said Rouse. "Lemonade Day gives our next generation of food entrepreneurs a head start."
More than 29 corporate sponsors have teamed up to once again bring Lemonade Day to Louisiana on Saturday, May 2nd including: the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, Acadian Companies, Bollinger Shipyards, Credit Bureau of Baton Rouge Foundation, Crescent Bank, First NBC Bank, Rouses, Ochsner Health System, Coastal Bridge, CenturyLink, Louisiana Society of CPAs, and US Agencies as well as over 100 partners including the Louisiana Economic Development (LED), Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF), Louisiana SPCA, Lawrence D. Crocker College Prep, Junior League of Greater New Orleans, Junior League of Baton Rouge, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Spears Group, Diane Allen & Associates and a host of other statewide partners and sponsors.
Lemonade Day Louisiana was founded in 2010, by entrepreneurs John Georges and Todd Graves and has grown tremendously over the last few years. More than 17,000 youth across Louisiana from New Orleans to Shreveport participated in last year's program. Thousands of lemonade stands were set-up throughout the state. These young entrepreneurs donated thousands of dollars to charity. Louisiana is one of over 40 regions in the U.S. and Canada to participate in Lemonade Day.
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, Marketing Tips and Mentor Guide to help them establish their lemonade stand. These "lemonaders" are advised to spend a little, save a little and share a little, 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 is free and all youngsters are encouraged to participate.
To register: www.louisiana.lemonadeday.org
