Lemonade Day

Mundare Youth Showcase Entrepreneurial Skills During Lemonade Day

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Local youth showcased their new found entrepreneurial skills and talents during Lemonade Day in Mundare on June 17.

The Favorite Flavours team consisted of Ruth, Wesley and Clara Derow and Zesty Besties were made up of partners Lily and Ella Boisvert who served up a variety of different types of lemonade as well as tasty snacks.

The first Lemonade Day was brought to Northern Alberta in 2018 by one Community Future’s office in the region. It has expanded exponentially since then, expanding to 12 regions. In 2023, Lemonade Day was held in a total of 51 communities.

Prior to Lemonade Day, participants attend Lemonade University where Community Futures instructors teach them lessons such as: creating budgets, setting profit making goals, serving customers, repaying investors and giving back to the community. They also acquire skills in goal-setting, problem solving and gain self-esteem while having fun and being creative.

From L-R: Judge Shelly Taylor, Servus Credit Union, Lemmy, Entrepreneurs Lily and Ella Boisvert as well as judges Judy Shaw, Roxane Bordyniuk, Manager Vegreville & District Chamber of Commerce and Eddie Shepel.

(Community Futures Elk Island/Submitted Photo)

Community Futures Elk Island Program Coordinator Kathy Dmytriw said, “This program is to teach kids how to own and operate their own business for a day…Lemonade Day. They need to commit to attending Lemonade University where they learn what an entrepreneur is, what a business is, work on a business plan, learn what revenue and expenses are, purchasing a lease agreement, buying a business license from the town office, making a budget and finally after Lemonade Day…they fill in their results.

It is a program that Community Futures is proud to run within our communities and we look forward to it growing every year.”

Dmytriw extended her gratitude to all of the participants and sponsors for making the event a real success.

While the young entrepreneurs get to keep all the profits they make, they are encourage to spend some, save some and share some. For example, the Derow siblings will be donating a portion of their proceeds to SOS Ministries while the Boisvert’s will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Saving Grace Animal Rescue Society.

Lemonade Day Helps Kids Become Entrepreneurs

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Children were able to be creative at making lemonade taste good and creating a lemonade stand at the Lemonade Day in Vegreville on June 17.

Program Coordinator for Community Futures Elk Island Kathy Dmytriw mentioned that their office participates in Lemonade Day Northern Alberta, which is owned by Community Future Offices throughout Northern Alberta. “It is a program teaching our next generation to be entrepreneurs, civic leaders and engaged citizens.

Three Sisters Lemonade entrepreneurs Lyric, Harlow and Emery Gegolick with Lemmy Lemon Head.

(Community Futures Elk Island/Submitted Photo)

We had 32 kids registered but only 14 completed the program and participated in Lemonade Day.

The prizes awarded are as follows: Best Tasting Lemonade – ribbon and $100.00, Best Lemonade Stand – ribbon and $100.00, Best Entrepreneur of the Area – ribbon and $100.00.

The program is growing every year and we are pleased to expand to Mundare for their own prizes and awards.

It is a program to teach our future kids how to operate their own business for one day. Mentors/parents help their kids and the community come out to support our Future entrepreneurs! All in all it is meant to be a fun day for everyone!

The kids are taught in Lemonade University that there are three very important S’s – Save Some, Spend Some and Share Some. Save for another day, spend some because they worked hard and earned it and share some with the community that supported them as a business. They do that through donations to which ever charity they choose.”