The Ellettsville Fire Department conference and training room will soon be filled with children and their mentors as they build their lemonade stands for Lemonade Day.
Chris Tann, unit director at the Lincoln Street Boys & Girls Club, said the workshop will need six to eight volunteers, including one with carpentry skills.
“This person would act as the ‘job boss’ and be able to describe in words how the stands go together,” he explained.
The other five to seven volunteers would assist in building the stands during the workshop or help those who want to build the stands at home load their materials.
“Ideally, volunteers would have their own hand tools, hammers, screwdrivers, power or cordless drills,” Tann said. “We will ask participants to bring their personal hand tools, as well.”
Members of the Torch Club, President’s Club, staff, and families from the Ellettsville unit will be participating, said Unit Director Brenda Salvo.
“Lemonade Day is a program that makes an impact because it targets multiple areas of a child’s life,” Salvo said. “It strengthens the relationship between a parent or older mentor and a child.”
Lemonade Day is a national event that teaches children entrepreneurial skills by challenging them to set up a lemonade stand business. In Monroe County, it is run by the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington.
Child participants are tasked with buying the materials and equipment to operate, finding a location, and setting competitive prices while still making a profit. Adult mentors are asked to help them along the way.
At the end of the project, children are instructed to use the money they made to pay back any debts incurred while setting up, put a percentage of their profits into a savings account, and keep the balance.
About 30 children from the Ellettsville and Stinesville area participated in the event last year.
Those interested in volunteering may contact Tann at the Lincoln Street Boys & Girls Club ahead of the stand-building event April 20. Lemonade Day will be held May 18.
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2013. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.