DALLAS – When 2020 gives you lemons, find a new way to make some ice cold lemonade.That’s the motto for hundreds of North Texas children who have been squeezed from their traditional summer lemonade stands by the novel coronavirus and encouraged to get extra creative during the current times. Leaders with a local organization called Lemonade Day Greater Dallas say the pandemic has sparked a new wave of creativity and brought these young entrepreneurs’ unique innovations to the forefront.
Last week, the Dallas Mavericks, Mavs Foundation and jersey patch sponsor Chime announced a new initiative ‘Chime in for a Cause’ with a goal to boost funds for eight local organizations during the final eight regular season games. For every Mavs’ free throw made, the Mavs and Chime pitch in $500 directly to the charities.
Lemonade Day Greater Dallas served as the beneficiary for today’s Dallas overtime victory against the Sacramento Kings and the Mavs set a new season-best record with 39 made free throws. This means that Lemonade Day Greater Dallas will receive a donation of $19,500 with an opportunity to earn even more funds thanks to MFFLs who donate online.
Tiffany Rubi, executive director at Lemonade Day Greater Dallas said she was excited to learn that the Mavs Foundation selected them to earn donations for the ‘Chime in for a Cause’ program and it was a moment the organization has long dreamed about.
“Just for others to hear about Lemonade Day is a gift,” Rubi shared, “but to also receive donations and to know how much it will impact children is extra special.”
Katie Edwards, Dallas Mavericks senior vice president of external affairs and Mavs Foundation president said Lemonade Day Greater Dallas is a tremendous organization that has long been on the Mavs Foundation radar. Edwards, along with leaders at Chime, said they are ecstatic to highlight Lemonade Day Greater Dallas because they value the foundation’s commitment to financial literacy programs for youth.
“I love how Lemonade Day Greater Dallas allows children to create businesses that gives them tangible achievements along the way,” Edwards shared. “Right now, I think our children and youth need small victories more than ever and Lemonade Day does a great job of fostering opportunities for kids. The programs are designed to boost confidence and teach financial literacy programs in a fun and uplifting way. We all need something like that right now!”
The Boys and Girls Club of Dallas earned a $14,000 check after the Mavs’ overtime thriller against the Houston Rockets where Dallas made 28 free throws. Dallas attempted an astounding 38 free throws in the game for what could have created an extra $5K for the organization, but thankfully MFFLs stepped up to the challenge and donated thousands of dollars that will be distributed evenly across all eight organizations at the conclusion of the NBA restart regular season.
Sunday’s loss against the Suns netted $16,500 for Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas when the Mavs drained 33 free throws and Lemonade Day Greater Dallas is slotted for today’s afternoon contest against the Kings.
“Our hope is that parents will hear about the program today during the Dallas Mavericks game,” Rubi shared, “and then sign up their children for the free online program and work with their children on their own business ideas.”
She said the mission is to have kids outside setting up their own lemonade stands, but the pandemic has created new and challenging times.
“Generally our program is offered in the spring right when the pandemic hit,” she added, “so it eliminated many of the after-school programs that created great environments for children to create lemonade stand business ideas, marketing plans and other skill sets and then put those plans into action.”
However, Rubi said, children persevered and came up with other great ideas using their parent’s social media platforms to take orders and then deliver the lemonade to customers.
The organization now hopes for a Mavs victory — and lots of made free throws, all in the name of lemon-love.
“I was thrilled to learn that the (Mavs Foundation) selected Lemonade Day Greater Dallas to benefit,” Rubi enthusiastically shared. “It’s such a great opportunity for us to be heard, so our hope is that people will hear about it and check out our organization, and continue our work and help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Lemonade Day is a free educational initiative that introduces youth to entrepreneurship, teaching them how to start, own, and operate their own business – a lemonade stand. The organization teaches skills that prepare youth for life through fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education and entrepreneurship. The organization believes the mission helps build self-esteem and new mindsets that can propel youth to success.
The Mavs Foundation selected Lemonade Day Dallas because teaching young people about entrepreneurship is a solution to teach financial literacy, which can battle poverty rates and unemployment. Young people learn how to create a business from a young age and many of these brilliant minds go on to create small businesses in other capacities for their communities.
Studies show that more than 40 million new jobs were created by small businesses over the past 15 years. That’s two out of three jobs that were created by start-up companies.
That’s where MFFLs come in.
Money raised and donated by fans will make a direct impact to foster programs like Lemonade Day Greater Dallas, along with all eight of the North Texas organizations selected by the Mavs Foundation. In fact, for as little as $20 pledged, MFFLs will be entered into a sweepstakes full of cool prizes. (For full list of rules, click here.)
“We have a longstanding history of making a difference for others and this initiative is just another big way the Mavs organization is stepping up,” said Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “Get ready, I’m hoping for really big checks for these amazing non-profits.”
And for parents at home, mark your calendars because August 20 is National Lemonade Day and leaders across North America are encouraging kids to host a lemonade stand their way – either virtually or in person – while practicing social distancing and adhering to other health and safety guidelines outlined by individual communities and the U.S. Center for Disease Control.
Lemonade Day has developed the Lemonade Day My Way promotion to demonstrate that challenges can produce opportunities for innovation, change and growth. Kids in Dallas can register to participate here and also find the Lemonopolis online lesson program from any device. Participants are eligible to enter contests to win new bicycles and prizes for starting a future business.
Rubi said folks with Lemonade Day Greater Dallas will be watching the game intently this afternoon and said the money raised will make a direct impact for the organization through various avenues. Most of all, she hopes that fans will hear about the organization and plant a seed of hope for parents and children alike.
“It’s free, it’s open to any child and it benefits any child during the new pandemic environment,” Rubi said. “We are just so thankful to be selected by the Mavericks and can’t wait to watch the game.”
After all, success is just so sweet!
What is Lemonade Day Dallas? Why let me introduce you to one of the neatest (and FREE, holla!) programs on the planet for area youth! Lemonade Day is an educational initiative that introduces youth to entrepreneurship, teaching them how to start, own, and operate their own business — a lemonade stand. Click here to learn more!
This sounds AMAZING. How can I donate to this organization? So glad you asked! MFFLs can visit Mavs.com/ChimeIn to donate now. After the eight regular seasons games are over, the Mavs Foundation and Chime will evenly distribute the donations across all eight organizations. But, wait there’s more! If you donate $20 or more, you’ll be entered to win one of the many prizes including a signed Equality jersey, a signed team ball and one of the 100 Equality jerseys in the player and size of your choice!
My kids are ready to put their skills to the test and create their own Lemonade Day business. How much does it cost and where can I access resources? Lemonopolis is free. Repeat: absolutely free (ohhhh yeahhhh!) To get started, visit this super-cool lemonade link.
Can you share the eight organizations selected by the Mavs Foundation and Chime to benefit from the cause?
Sure thing! Here’s the line-up: Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, Lemonade Day Greater Dallas, Education Opens Doors, Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, Promise House, Project Unity and WiNGS. Among many other efforts, money donated through the initiative will provide support towards financial education, business skill building, breaking the cycle of poverty and addressing the historic and contemporary effects of racism.
How many free throws did the Mavs make through the first three games of the NBA restart?
100 Free Throws = $50,000
Dal vs. Sacramento | 39 makes | $19,500| Organization: Lemonade Day Greater Dallas
Dal. vs. Phoenix | 33 makes | $16,500 | Organization: Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas
Dal. vs. Houston | 28 makes | $14,000 | Organization: Boys and Girls Club of Dallas
Anything else? Actually, we have two more things to add. No. 1, make sure to sure get really loud and proud today and wake up your entire neighborhood during their afternoon naps (the Mavs and Kings tip-off at 1:30 p.m CT on FSSW).
And No. 2, we are so thankful for our wonderful partnership with the Chime, the fastest growing challenger bank in the world. Think about their business philosophy: No overdraft fees. No minimum balance requirements. No monthly service fees. No foreign transaction fees. No transfer fees. Nada. It’s banking that has your back. And even better, Chime is all about family and their employees absolutely love giving back to the North Texas community. It’s a win-win for everyone, so head over to Chime.com and learn more about this outstanding business and our proud jersey patch sponsor.
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@Tamara Jolee, Dallas Mavericks Community Reporter
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