Dickinson County, MI [September 2023] –Lemonade Day in Dickinson County was a
huge success! “Our Lemonade Day was so much fun,” noted Suzanne Larson,
Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce and City Director of
Dickinson County’s Lemonade Day. “We saw over 100 kids enjoying more than 30
lemonade stands around our community. The local support we received was
outstanding. From our sponsors to the public who came out to support these budding
entrepreneurs, it was a fantastic day in Dickinson County!”
Lemonade Day is committed to instilling the core development assets youth (K-8 th
grade) need to succeed through a unique entrepreneurial and experiential program
infused with life skills, character development, financial literacy, career exploration and
mentorship. The program, which is an innovative hybrid of STEM + social-emotional
learning + project-based education, introduces youth to foundational lessons through
the real-world experience of starting their own business-a lemonade stand-the
quintessential first business for young entrepreneurs.
Over the last 15 years, 1.5 million children have been impacted since inception. The
program has licensed more than 90 cities in the U.S. and Canada and has seen more
than 550 youth-service partnerships. They have seen over 11,000 mentors assisting
these entrepreneurs. Lemonade Day has also raised over $24 million dollars to date.
“The kids that are involved in Lemonade Day learn how to make a goal, set a plan and
achieve their dreams,” noted Larson. “It is proven that children who receive business
education are more willing to seek opportunities, are more persevering, have greater
ability to speak in public and solve problems, and
adapt more easily to overcome challenges. That ‘I can do’ mentality is applied for the
rest of one’s life,” added Larson.
600 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain MI 49801 | 906-774-2002 | www.dickinsonchamber.com
“Children learn to spend some, save some and share some
as they learn by going through the lesson modules. So, not
only are we teaching our youth about owning their first business and financial literacy
but we are also showing them how to give back to their community through
philanthropy,” noted Larson. Their hard work culminates in a city-wide Lemonade Day.
Larson wishes to thank her sponsors, as everyone knows, events don’t happen without
their support: Iron Mountain Kingsford Community Federal Credit Union, First National
Bank & Trust and Laborers’ Union Local 1329 signed on as Signature Sponsors for
Lemonade Day 2023. “Fresh Squeeze” sponsors include First Bank, Great North
Bank, Nicolet Bank, Northern Interstate Bank, UP State Credit Union. Other sponsors
include American Legion Post 50, Advanta Print, Radio Results Network, Hometowne
Lumber, Dickinson Area Community Foundation, Longriders Motorcycle Club,
Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System, Imagination Factory Children’s Museum,
41 Lumber, Bay College, Kandy’s Cakes, Walmart, Loyal 2 Local, State Farm Jon
Lasater Agency and WZMQ CBS TV 19 Marquette.
The winners of this year’s Lemonade Day for Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by
Loyal 2 Local) are Shake It Lemonade. The group consisted of Izzabella Geneva,
Nora Hartwig, Maya Meno and Esperanza Martinez. The Lemon Council of Lemonade
Day took time to visit with every stand then met to discuss their findings. Many criteria
were discussed to eventually come up with a winner. Each person on the Shake It
Lemonade team received a $100 gift card to Walmart. These winners now move on to
the Lemonade Day National contest, where a national Entrepreneur of the Year will be
chosen. That winner then receives a round trip ticket for them and one parent/mentor
to Houston to attend the national awards.
Watch for the 2024 Lemonade Day to hit our area. Home schooled kids are also
encouraged to join in the fun, said Larson. For more information, please contact
Suzanne Larson at the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce at 906-774-2002 or by
email at slarson@dickinsonchamber.com
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