With free hugs, original music, video, phone apps, haircuts and more, Ivey students raised $81,930 to create job opportunities for youth in London and Middlesex, bringing their four-year total raised for the United Way to more than $250,000. At the same time, they gained their own entrepreneurial experience, all through the annual Hunter Straker & Ivey Give LemonAid event, April 9-11.
The fundraising challenge is the final event of the HBA Learning Through Action program. Students used the business and leadership skills learned in class and a lemonade stand to raise money for a social enterprise program that is part of the United Way London & Middlesex’s Innovation Fund. The program provides job training opportunities for youth, under the supervision of Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
“I can’t think of a better way to end the year than this,” said Mary Heisz, Faculty Director, HBA Program.
As well as raising awareness in the community, the Give LemonAid event also gained significant attention through social media. Group 22 scored a shout out about donate online from Olympian Usain Bolt.
“We are on a mission to make a small dent in the universe,” said Matthew Diamond, HBA ’96, Senior Vice-President, Hunter Straker, who initiated the challenge four years ago. “The event takes learning through action to a whole new level. The students create great change and also learn a lot. It’s perfect for the real world. It’s what I experience in business every day. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”
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The 601 students were divided into 80 teams and each was given a unique challenge, including being locked into a certain price for the lemonade, being forced to sing the entire time, or not being allowed to use lemons. Armed with only $50 in seed money, a cardboard lemonade stand they made themselves, a pitcher, and a set of markers, they fanned across London on April 9 and 10 to raise as much money as possible in 48 hours.
“I hope you understand what you’ve done,” said Andrew Lockie, EMBA ’05, executive director of the United Way. “This is a huge deal and has a massive impact on our community. Plus you make a statement about how students feel about their community.”
The Hunter Straker & Ivey Give LemonAid event was pioneered in 2011, raising $31,138 for the Boys & Girls Club of London. In 2012 and 2013, it raised an additional $181,000 for the United Way’s Matched Savings and Microloan Program.
