Ernst & Young Supports Longest Lemonade Stand Guinness Record Attempt

DETROIT, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP, a global professional services firm, will be the Presenting Sponsor of a Guinness World Records attempt by local area elementary school students to make history with the "Longest Lemonade Stand."

The record-setting attempt will be made Saturday, August 20, National Lemonade Day, in Beverly Park in Beverly Hills, Michigan, with proceeds going to support local school initiatives.  The Longest Lemonade Stand record attempt includes an age-appropriate curriculum specifically designed to use the lemonade stand concept to teach kids basic business principles.    

The students have already sold nearly 300 individual stand "kits" to families representing 16 area public, private and parochial schools.  Participating families will bring their individually decorated stand sections to the park on event day to create the 1,200-foot-long stand required for the Guinness World Record!

The Ernst & Young section of the lemonade stand will feature past winners of the Entrepreneur of The Year awards -- an annual event produced by Ernst & Young in celebration of entrepreneurs who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses.   The Entrepreneur of The Year winners will serve up their own lemonade recipes and help inspire the students.

The Longest Lemonade Stand event aligns well with Ernst & Young's commitment to help make a difference in the community through education and the support of entrepreneurship. "Entrepreneurs are critical to driving the innovation necessary to fuel economic growth in Michigan," said Jamie Simpson, Ernst & Young Partner and Director of the Entrepreneur of The Year program.  "The bright young minds behind the Longest Lemonade Stand will be inspired at this event by some of our region's top entrepreneurs and encouraged to achieve their full potential."

"For most kids, a lemonade stand is a first business venture," said Kari Silcox, parent volunteer for Longest Lemonade Stand.  "We all intuitively know that kids learn better when they're passionate about the subject matter.  Longest Lemonade Stand has tapped into that passion and, we believe, will be a memorable, meaningful event for all the children and their families. We are so appreciative of Ernst & Young's generous support!"

In addition to inspiring the kids and bringing communities together, Longest Lemonade Stand offers a proactive response to state educational funding cuts.  "With the $470 per student state funding reduction, communities need to find ways to support their schools.   The lemonade stand is a creative concept that raises money while furthering our core mission of positively influencing and educating our kids," said Silcox.

The Longest Lemonade Stand is open to anyone.  Area residents and Woodward Dream Cruise visitors are invited to attend the event beginning at noon on Saturday, August 20 at Beverly Park in Beverly Hills, MI.  Guests can expect a fun filled day of activities and events including bounce houses, face painting, games and activities, food and, of course, lemonade!  The official Guinness World Record will be set around 1:30 PM.  

Longest Lemonade Stand would like to thank our valued sponsors including: Ace Hardware, Achatz Pie Company, Beverly Community Education, Birmingham Pediatrics, Blvd Suites, Bolyard Lumber, Brady's Tavern, Dynamic Life Chiropractic, Edible Arrangements, Edward Jones, Ernst & Young, Girls Empowered, Goldfish, GS Leasing, Huron Capital, Marketing Associates, Northwestern Mutual, Pop Can Couture, Premier Pet Supply, Restyle Child, Robot Garage, Senior Helpers, Staffworks, Wolf Hulbert Insurance, and Wonderworks.

For more information on Longest Lemonade Stand or to make a donation, please visit www.longestlemonadestand.com .    

SOURCE Longest Lemonade Stand