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Watermill Express Launches Second Annual Guppy Tank Contest; Will Make Donation to Make-a-Wish Foundation with Each Entry

By: Watermill Express |  0 Shares     228 Reads

Rio Grande Valley Students Channel Inner Entrepreneur for a Chance to Make their Business Plans Reality

April 10, 2017 // Franchising.com // MCALLEN, Texas – Watermill Express, the nation’s largest drive-up pure drinking water and ice company, announced today the start of its second annual Guppy Tank Contest, which challenges Rio Grande Valley students to become young entrepreneurs.

Geared toward children between 8-13 years old, the Guppy Tank Contest is a fun take on the popular TV show Shark Tank, meant to inspire area students to think critically and creatively about business ownership. Entries will be judged on several criteria including originality, quality of content, creativity, presentation and grammar.

“I’m so happy the Guppy Tank Contest is back this year,” said Eloy Cuevas, marketing manager for more than 20 years in the Rio Grande Valley with Watermill Express. “The amount of time and work these students put into their business plans is inspiring and deserves to be celebrated.”

In addition to helping finalists fund their business ideas with cash prizes, Watermill Express is donating up to $2,500 to Make-a-Wish as part of hosting the Guppy Tank Contest. Each contest submission will result in a $5 donation (up to $2,500) toward granting a wish for a child in the Rio Grande Valley.

“We started Watermill Express in our garage, so we understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur,” said Lani Dolifka, CEO and co-founder of Watermill Express. “It’s important for children to learn the value of creativity, hard work and determination, and to strive for it in everything they do. We look forward to bringing this exciting opportunity to area youth.”

Five finalists will present their business ideas to a panel of judges in May. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $750 to help jumpstart his or her one-of-a-kind business plan. The runner-up will get $350 to use toward his or her business plan, with third-, fourth- and fifth-place finalists receiving $100 toward launching their business ideas. All five finalists will also receive ten reusable Watermill Express water bottles to share with family and friends.

Last year, each of the business ideas that were selected as finalists positively impacted the Rio Grande Valley in some way. A Harlingen student named Isabella Garcia was the first-place winner of the 2016 Guppy Tank Contest. Her “Kids Live” idea provided a way for children to stay active and healthy by organizing group activities at a local park.

A Valley institution for 30 years, Watermill Express has supported the community by donating thousands of gallons of water to organizations such as the Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, South Texas Multiple Sclerosis Council and more.

Watermll Express is also committed to giving back internationally. In 2016, the brand partnered with World Vision to provide more than 100 million gallons of clean drinking water to the developing world.

About Watermill Express

Watermill Express is the largest drive-up pure drinking water and ice company in the nation and the green alternative to prepackaged water. Watermill Express customers reuse their own clean containers to reduce pollution from single-use plastic water bottles. The brand’s Waterocks® Ice is now available at select locations. Call 1-800-487-9643 for more information or visit watermillexpress.com.

About Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 33,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 34 minutes. It has granted more than 285,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 15,300 in 2016 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org to learn more.

Media Contact:

Liz Robinson
All Points Public Relations
(847) 897-7497
lrobinson@allpointspr.com

SOURCE Watermill Express

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