Mid-Pacific Institute’s Lemonade Alley Kid-Biz Contest Aids Humane Society

Participants, sponsors, volunteers and other fans of the Lemonade Alley entrepreneurial challenge know that we hold the main event on Oahu each April at Pearlridge Center in Aiea. But that’s not the only location for our popular kid-biz contest.

Mid-Pacific Institute, a college preparatory school in Manoa, recently staged its own Lemonade Alley. This high-spirited affair drew 70 students in grades one to five who competed in teams to see who could sell the most lemonade.

And in just 90 minutes, these kids raised $400 for their favorite charity, the Hawaiian Humane Society in Honolulu.

Professional Actresses Get Students Ready 

Training the students on behalf of Lemonade Alley’s producer, the nonprofit BizGym Foundation, were two dynamic young ladies: actresses Kimee Balmilero and Sarah Halford. They each gave the kids advice on how to enthusiastically pitch their lemonade stand business to judges, concoct tasty lemon drinks and much more.

Kimee, our Lemonade Alley emcee since the main event began in 2011, is a regular cast member on “Hawaii Five-0,” the hit TV crime drama on CBS. She plays the role of medical examiner Dr. Noelani Cunha.

A professional entertainer since high school, Kimee’s other credits include: the original Broadway cast of “Mamma Mia!,” the second national touring company of “Miss Saigon” and appearances on “General Hospital,” “The Today Show” and “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Sarah has starred in film, television and theater productions, including the role of Sophie in “Mamma Mia!” and Maria in “The Sound of Music.” She also designs and leads training programs for aspiring performers in California and Hawaii, including on Oahu at Mid-Pacific Institute, ‘Iolani School and Damien Memorial School.

So congratulations to the Mid-Pacific students and their families who made the Lemonade Alley fundraiser a success. And mahalo to Miss Kimee and Miss Sarah for helping these kids shine.