Nothing sour about Lemonade Day

Kids learn how to run a business serving fruit drinks

This past weekend’s Lemonade Day meant more than just kids serving sweet drinks to thirsty customers — it also taught valuable economics lessons to young entrepreneurs, organizers said.

The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce celebrated its eighth year hosting Lemonade Day on Main Street in Boerne — with events also in Fair Oaks Ranch, Comfort and other Kendall County sites — with an estimated 400 kids manning more than 130 booths to broaden their sales and marketing skills.

Participants can also move on to national recognition.

Each stand is tasked with selling its own spin on lemonade, ranging from popsicles and mock-a-ritas to classic lemonade.

“Once parents sign up, I tell them this is your kid’s project,” said Melissa Hinton, a Chamber spokeswoman. “We provide backpacks for the kids, and we also get youth workbooks as well as mentor guides.”

The workbooks, which are provided by event sponsors, include lesson plans that teach kids how to spend, save and share, she added.

Participants are also encouraged to take financial education classes sponsored by Sonora Bank.

All proceeds belong solely to the child manning the booth; he or she can then decide on how to use it, keep it or share it.

“A majority of our stands actually donate a portion to a nonprofit, or they donate all of it,” Hinton said.

Chamber President Kim Blohm’s son, Mason, said it was an easy decision about what to do with the $250 he made selling lemonade mock-a-ritas.

“I picked the (Hill Country Animal League) because I’ve seen how much they care for my foster dogs,” Mason said. “They’ve helped our family of pets, and I’m thankful they’re around to help. I wanted to give back so they can keep helping more animals.”

In a statement online, the league thanked Mason for his contribution: “This young entrepreneur donated every dollar in profits to help animals at HCAL. Not many people can say their lemonade helped fund real care for pets in our community.”

The Chamber will be hosting an online voting competition for best booth. For more information, visit boerne.org.

“A majority of our stands actually donate a portion to a nonprofit, or they donate all of it.”

— Melissa Hinton