Houston Mayor Bill White, Sugar Land Mayor James Thompsonand 17 Other Area Mayors Proclaim Sunday, May 3, 2009, as Lemonade Day

HOUSTON & SUGAR LAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mayors of Houston, Sugar Land and 17 other surrounding cities have demonstrated their commitment to helping young people build the American Dream one lemonade stand at a time by proclaiming Sunday, May 3, 2009, as Lemonade Day in their respective cities.

“On Lemonade Day, thousands of kids set up lemonade stands using a proven recipe for running a profitable business. Moreover, the Lemonade Day experience provides an opportunity for communities to come together to train the next generation of entrepreneurs and city leaders”

In a ceremony at Houston City Hall today, more than 50 business executives and community leaders joined Lemonade Day founder and Houston entrepreneur, Michael Holthouse, to hear The Honorable Bill White read the City of Houston’s official Lemonade Day proclamation. The proclamation commended the role of Prepared 4 Life, Imperial Sugar and Astros legend Jeff Bagwell in hosting Lemonade Day. Lemonade Day gives youth in the greater Houston area the opportunity to savor the sweet taste of success that comes with owning and operating their own successful lemonade business. John Sheptor, chief executive officer of Sugar Land-based Imperial Sugar, read the City of Sugar Land’s proclamation on behalf of Mayor James Thompson.

“On Lemonade Day, thousands of kids set up lemonade stands using a proven recipe for running a profitable business. Moreover, the Lemonade Day experience provides an opportunity for communities to come together to train the next generation of entrepreneurs and city leaders,” Holthouse commented. “I am absolutely awed by the record-breaking level of mayoral support that Lemonade Day has secured this year. And I am thrilled that Imperial Sugar signed on to be a special ingredient in the Lemonade Day mix as our first-time title sponsor.”

Prepared for Life has secured proclamations from the following cities and mayors in the greater Houston area:

1. City of Alvin, Mayor Gary Appelt

2. City of Baytown, Mayor Steve Don Carlos

3. City of Bellaire, Mayor Cindy Siegel

4. City of Conroe, Mayor Web Meider

5. City of Deerpark, Mayor Wayne Riddle

6. City of Friendswood, Mayor David Smith

7. City of Houston, Mayor Bill White

8. City of Kemah, Mayor Greg Collins

9. City of LaPorte, Mayor Alton Porter

10. City of Lake Jackson, Mayor Bob Sipple

11. City of Missouri City, Mayor Allen Owen

12. City of Nassau Bay, Mayor Don Matter

13. City of Richmond, Mayor Hilmar Moore

14. City of Rosenberg, Mayor Joe M. Gurecky

15. City of Seabrook, Mayor Pro Tem Paul Dunphey

16. City of Sugar Land, Mayor James Bay Thompson

17. City of Tomball, Mayor Gretchen Fagan

18. City of Webster, Mayor Floyd H. Myers

19. City of West University, Mayor Bob Kelly

“I am extremely grateful to Jeff Bagwell for going to bat for our kids as the official Lemonade Day celebrity spokesperson for three consecutive years. Jeff’s commitment to the welfare and character development of kids is an outstanding example to all adults,” Holthouse added.

Background Information

Lemonade Day has grown 400 percent from 2,600 stands in 2007 to 11,200 in 2008. With significant backing from thousands of supporters, Lemonade Day 2009 is destined to be even greater with an expected 25,000 new lemonade businesses dotting our cities and neighborhoods staffed by as many as 75,000 eager young entrepreneurs stimulating our local economy and giving back a percentage of their profits to a cause of their choice. The Lemonade Day experience is expected to expand to 100 cities and one million lemonade stands within five years.

Children who register to participate in Lemonade Day get a free backpack with materials that guide them and their adult sponsor to making Lemonade Day a fun and educational experience. Imperial Sugar also has contributed lemonade recipes, coupons and product samples for the backpacks. Please see www.LemonadeDay.org to register, volunteer or make a donation in any amount.

Holthouse is the co-founder of Prepared 4 Life (www.prepared4ife.org), a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that helps prepare youth for life through fun, proactive and experiential programs infused with life skills, character education and entrepreneurship.

Imperial Sugar Company is one of the largest processors and marketers of refined sugar in the United States to food manufacturers, retail grocers and foodservice distributors. The company markets products nationally under the Imperial (R), Dixie Crystals and Holly (R) brands. For more information about Imperial Sugar, visit www.imperialsugar.com.