INDIANAPOLIS -- Dozens of people were hard at work on Tuesday in hopes of helping children build the American Dream.

A new initiative, called Lemonade Day, aims to set children on the course of learning how to start and operate their own business, 6News' Julie Pursley reported.

About 100 volunteers from various companies and organizations toiled through the morning at Riverside Park to put together backpacks that will inspire young entrepreneurs.

Indiana entrepreneur Scott Jones is spearheading the Indianapolis effort in a growing nationwide event.

Jones, who invented voice mail technology, said the effort piqued his interest because his business experience began with a lemonade stand at age 10.

On May 2, thousands of children are expected to set up their lemonade stands, but they'll have to do a lot of work before that.

"It's everything from raising capital, so they go borrow $20, promise to pay back interest," Jones said. "They go to the store, buy the lemons and sugar. They set up a lemonade stand, do the site selection, the real estate part of it. They do the whole part of setting up a business."

About 7,500 backpacks were filled with how-to manuals for children and their parents. Adult helpers will also be available for free at Marion County library branches and at YMCA branches.

"I think it's just a great thing. It's a great way to teach children about how to really be financially literate … and understand what to do with money," said volunteer Jessica Read.

Children who pre-register will be allowed to sell lemonade in city parks on May 2.

"Going up and down the Monon (Trail), they should have a lot of chance to interact with customers and test out some of the skills they're going to learn from the books," said Stuart Lowry, director of Indy Parks.

Children will also give a portion of their earnings to their charity of choice.

Registration and Lemonade Day backpacks can be picked up at Marion County libraries and at YMCA branches in Indianapolis and Fishers.

The project was started by a Houston businessman about three years ago. Last year, the children raised about $500,000 for charities, and they got to keep a lot of the earnings for themselves.

The program is recommended for children age 4-18.

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