PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
TEAMWORK … Third-graders from Archbold Elementary hosted a lemonade stand at Fairlawn Retirement Community.
OUT OF THE PARK … Archbold third-grade students set up a Lemonade Day stand outside of Astral Coffee Lounge.
By: Amy Wendt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
amy@thevillagereporter.com
What started as a lesson in entrepreneurship became an example of community support as Archbold third-grade students brought Lemonade Day to its community on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Lemonade Day is a national program, founded by entrepreneur Michael Holthouse, that teaches kids financial literacy, goal-setting and business management by giving them the know-how to start, own and operate lemonade stands.
Just like a larger business or company, young entrepreneurs learn the importance of repaying investors, saving profits and sharing a portion of their proceeds with local charities.
According to the Lemonade Day website, the program’s mission “is to help prepare youth for life through fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education, and entrepreneurship.
“The foremost objective is to help today’s youth become the business leaders, social advocates, community volunteers and forward-thinking citizens of tomorrow.
“We want to build self-esteem and new mindsets that can propel youth to success they likely would not have pursued otherwise.”
THE ARCHBOLD CONNECTION
After learning about the program late last year, Wendy Gericke, Archbold Chamber of Commerce director, shared it with her husband, Ben Gericke, who is a third-grade teacher at Archbold Elementary.
“The Archbold Chamber Director, which happens to be my wife, asked me to do it,” Ben said. “I ran it by Mrs. Black, and she was on board as well.”
Unfortunately, in April, Mrs. Samantha Black died of cancer. It was then that students decided to donate all of the proceeds from their lemonade stands to Mrs. Black’s husband, Chris, and their two daughters, Stella and Riley.
Students prepared for Lemonade Day by creating business plans, designing signs, practicing customer service skills and learning what it takes to operate a successful business. Along the way, students also learned budgeting, teamwork and marketing.
When asked what top three skills students took away from the project, Gericke said, “Hard work. Creativity. Enthusiasm.”
“We spent three weeks working through an app and learning all the different aspects that go into starting a business. The kids really enjoyed it and learned a lot,” Gericke said.
Leading up to the event, Mr. Gericke and the third-graders paid a visit to 96.1 WMTR, where they were featured on the Chamber Chat program and shared Lemonade Day details with the community.
Community businesses also played an important role in helping the event come together.
In an Archbold Chamber of Commerce post, organizers thanked presenting sponsor F&M State Bank, writing, “Because of their generosity, our Lemonade Day kids were able to get their stands up and running and learn what it’s really like to start a business from the ground up.
“From supplies to startup support, F&M stepped up in a BIG way to help make this experience possible for Archbold’s third graders.”
LEMONADE DAY ARRIVES
When Lemonade Day arrived, so did unrelenting spring downpours, but the soggy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the budding business professionals with the lofty goal of selling 2,000 cups of lemonade.
With 80 students operating nine stands throughout the community, the young entrepreneurs pressed on despite the rain, greeting customers with smiles.
Customers had the option of purchasing traditional lemonade for $1 or a “fancy” version, which featured fruit syrup flavoring, for $2. While stands were initially positioned at the Archbold ballfields, Archbold SuperValu, Lugbill Supply Center, Sherwood State Bank, F&M State Bank, Astral Coffee Lounge, Fairlawn Haven, Scrapbook Corner and Savvy Dog, some stands were relocated to sheltered areas to escape the rainy weather.
“The weather wasn’t great, but the sales were,” said Gericke. “It was absolutely amazing how the community showed up.
“Even during a downpour, the kiddos and parent volunteers stepped up huge. I couldn’t be any more proud of the kiddos and can’t thank the parents enough.”
All of that community support added up in a big way. “Because of our kiddos and the generosity of so many people, we raised over $11,000. All money went to Mrs. Black’s family,” Gericke said.
While this was Archbold’s first official Lemonade Day, it likely will not be the last.
“We will definitely be doing it again,” Gericke said. “Thankful for all of the community support,” he added, “I just want to again thank everyone who had a part in putting Lemonade Day together.”
Eighty third-graders, nine stands, one rainy Saturday and more than $11,000 for a family that needed it.
Through their lemonade stands, students not only learned valuable business skills but also helped make a meaningful difference for Mrs. Black’s family as the Archbold community showed up in support.