media

By Steven Gordon, Lemonade Day National President

Today, as Independence Day approaches, I will share this brief historical reference, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire. The Congress voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

Also, Canada Day was celebrated July 1 and commemorated the joining of Canada's original three provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Canada province, which is now Ontario and Quebec) as one nation in 1867. The holiday was previously called Dominion Day, for the dominion of Canada in the British Empire.  (Source: https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/01/americas/canada-day-explainer-trnd/index.html)

The timing of these federal holidays in the United States and Canada and their symbolism—resourcefulness, freedom and independence—provide an excellent opportunity for me to emphasize the value and significance of our Lemonade Day national youth entrepreneurship program to young kids and the communities where they live, study and play.

Lemonade Day is more than one day in one place. Lemonade Day is a movement that is gaining popularity throughout the United States and Canada, teaching kids as young as kindergartners and as old as high schoolers important business and character-building skills that will serve them for life.  Youth who register to participate in Lemonade Day with the support of a mentor gain confidence and become more financially literate, more responsible and more accountable. Lemonade Day leaders encourage our young entrepreneurs to spend some, save some and share some of their profits with a cause that matters to them. Many Lemonade Day participants use the money that they earn to help their family members or friends, buy a product or service they have been wanting, and/or help a non-profit organization.  Pet charities tend to rank high on the list of causes that our Lemonade Day kids support. Providing humanitarian aid for hurricane victims, supporting programs that benefit disabled adults or grieving family members, and raising awareness that bees need help too are just a few more examples of worthy causes that Lemonade Day kids designate as beneficiaries.

Lemonade Day empowers kids to pursue their dreams and goals—and with achievement comes freedom and independence.

All of us at Lemonade Day national headquarters in Houston wish all of you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July, wherever you might be.

I always welcome your comments, suggestions and questions. Please email me at steven@lemonadeday.org any time.  Thank you for your support of Lemonade Day and our mission to engage millions of young kids in business and character-building lessons that will serve them for life.

ABOUT LEMONADE DAY

Founded in Houston in 2007 by Michael and Lisa Holthouse, Lemonade Day is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching every child across North America the business and financial skills that are the key ingredients of entrepreneurship.  By learning these skills early in life, children will be better prepared to be successful, financially healthy adults.  Through our fun, hands-on program, kids K-5 are empowered to start their very own business—a lemonade stand—and experience the feeling of earning real money, using 100% of their profit to spend, save and share based on their own goals.

Lemonade Day is hosted in 72 territories in North America and is growing. Over the past 10 years, we have served more than 1 million kids in our youth entrepreneur programs. Within the next five years, Lemonade Day leaders estimate that 250,000 mentors and millions more kids will be hosting lemonade stands in North America and on other continents throughout the world.