To the Editor:
On August 29, a fabulous group of local kids displayed their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to service, and hard work when they participated in C.E.O. (Creative Entrepreneur with Opportunities), Martha’s Vineyard’s first annual Lemonade Day. For three hours on a hot Saturday, children ranging in age from 5 to 13 set up lemonade stands around the Island to raise money for C.E.O. Youth Programming. After these kids worked so hard, we celebrated with a pizza party at Owen Park, where we awarded prizes to those stands with the most income, the best decorations, the best marketing plan and slogan, and the best business plan.
For those of you who haven’t heard of us yet, C.E.O. is a newly formed nonprofit that provides resources, education, and opportunities for networking and collaboration for women in business. We also encourage, educate, and support our local youth by providing programs that hone in on good customer-service skills, with an introduction to entrepreneurship and the exploration of innovative business ideas.
First and foremost, we would like to thank Edgartown National Bank and chief financial officer Judy Soules for making this day possible. Judy reviewed business plans for each lemonade-stand participant, and Edgartown National Bank provided the “startup funds” for supplies necessary to operate each lemonade stand. They were also gracious enough to award the grand prize of $250 to the lemonade stand with the most income.
We are overwhelmed with the community support we have received, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We would like to thank the following for the support and generosity that helped make our first Lemonade Day such an enormous success: Ocean Breeze Bedding, Cronig’s Market, S.B.S., Bunch of Grapes Bookstore, the Net Result, Vineyard Haven Stop and Shop, the Town of Tisbury, Oak Bluffs board of selectmen, Dukes County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Surfside Motel, Geoghan Coogan, Bernie’s Homemade Ice Cream, the Toy Box, Brickman’s, Sports Haven, Wolf’s Den Pizza.
It is because of all of you that we were able to provide our Island children a unique entrepreneurial learning opportunity that also helped us raise C.E.O. funds for future events and programs.
India Rose, president
Ryan Searle, secretary
Creative Entrepreneur with Opportunities
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