Chamber Connector: Setting Rockwall’s youth up for success with Annual Lemonade Day Initiative

ROCKWALL, TX (April 24, 2024) When we think back to our very first experience in business, a lot of us probably share the same childhood memory – a Lemonade Stand. Lemonade Day, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs, has taken this shared experience, and turned it into a nationwide initiative. This year, on Saturday, May 4, Rockwall will celebrate its second annual Lemonade Day event hosted by the Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce.

A large-scale initiative and community event, Lemonade Day will take place on the grounds of Rockwall’s City Hall at 385 South Goliad. Each participating child will be given a space to set up their very own customized “Lemonade Stand” where they can sell anything from handmade accessories to snow cones to good old-fashioned lemonade!

In the weeks leading up to Lemonade Day, participating children have already been gearing up for success through helpful financial literacy workshops presented by Frost Bank. They also are given the opportunity to download the interactive Lemonade Day app to continue to learn about financial literacy at home. Not only do these workshops teach participants how to start and operate their own business, but they also lay the core foundation of financial literacy that will help guide them even into adulthood.

“Lemonade Day has developed a playbook to unlock youth potential and talent through opportunity creation. Our program is infused with life skills, business and financial literacy, character education, career exploration, and mentorship,” explained Nicole Cassier-Mason, chief executive officer of Lemonade Day National. “This approach builds 21st century skills, improves self-esteem, provides social-emotional learning, and plants the seed of innovation to create new mindsets.” (Source: Lemonade Day 2023 Press Release)

The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce has several goals and objectives that encompass its “Strategic Priorities” and one of these objectives is Workforce Development. Although it may not seem like it at first, Lemonade Day plays an integral part in developing the future workforce of Rockwall and the surrounding DFW area. Each year, Lemonade Day engages thousands of children across the country, preparing them for the workforce through experiences that set them up for success. By working through the app and financial literacy workshops, children learn how to spend, save and invest their profits wisely. Without the Lemonade Day program, these children would likely not have gained these skills or even pursued these experiences until several years later in life.

Interested in supporting Rockwall’s Youth at Lemonade Day? Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 4 from 10am-2pm at Rockwall City Hall, 385 S Goliad St, Rockwall, TX 75087. You can show your support simply by stopping by and shopping at any of the Lemonade Stands that make up our Lemonade Day Junior Market! If you are interested in supporting or learning more about the Rockwall Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, our office today at 972-771-5733 or visit our website at rockwallchamber.org.

Blue Ribbon News is excited to feature this exclusive new Chamber Connector guest column in each print edition and online at blueribbonnews.com; written by Darby Nielsen and Amy Busch, Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce. 

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Chamber Connector: Your Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce in a nutshell

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