Fundraisers: Generous and Creative

Tasting Event at Strategic Coffee Concepts

As a non-profit whose support comes mainly from the coffee sector, we are wholly dependent on the generosity of businesses that see the value in supporting our work. But increasingly, we are also the beneficiaries of their creativity as progressive companies—large and small—reach out to others.

May was a wonderful month for showcasing some of the creative, philanthropic impulses of supporters both old and new:

• On May 25^th, our friends Tom and Patty Mitchell at Strategic Coffee Concepts outside Seattle held a Coffee Tasting/Fundraiser at local restaurant, Under The Red Umbrella, with about 45 attendees.  At the event they tasted five coffees which came from Allegro Coffee (Organic Bolivian); Atlas Coffee Importers (Ethiopian Yirgacheffe); Santa Elena Estate (Costa Rican Tarrazu) Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie (Sumatra Mandheling and a Brazil Minas). The participants were each given a tasting notes sheet that they used to write down their impressions of the coffees. Each coffee was served at a different table manned by a coffee expert who talked about the coffee and answered questions. The experts included Bruce Rogerson from Cascade Coffee, Paul DeLima from Distant Lands Coffee, Stephany Dybeck from US Foodservice, Peter Larsen – Master Roaster and Tom Mitchell.  Attendees were also offered the chance to buy bags of coffee specially roasted and hand packed for the occasion at Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie.
• New York’s West Village icon, Jack’s Stir Brew, hosted a free concert near their location in the Hamptons as a benefit for Grounds for Health over Memorial Day Weekend. The concert featured performer Jack Dalton and was held in the evening on Sunday, May 29^th in Amagansett Square.
• Throughout the month of May, Grounds for Health has been engaged in a cross-promotion with Barista Bath and Body. A portion of sales from their site will be donated to Grounds for Health while donors to the Grounds for Health in excess of $50 will receive a free sample product. There’s still time to get in on this, since today is the last day of the promotion. Check it out: https://groundsforhealth.org//2011/04/mothers-day-promotion-with-barista-bath-body/.
• Grounds for Health volunteer, Sonya Adams Williams, designated the $250 prize she received from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine to Grounds for Health. The prize—named for Terri Brenneman—is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated a commitment to the underserved. Sonya said her volunteer experience with Grounds for Health taught her “the importance of empowering communities to become active players in their own health and wellbeing.”

Last but not least, we also want to specifically acknowledge two of our existing supporters who increased their annual giving this month. Mr. Espresso, who previously hosted both a High School Bake Sale and a pizza party to benefit Grounds for Health made a generous corporate contribution this month. And long time supporter, Paragon Coffee, doubled their annual support in recognition of their 25^th Anniversary. We are so appreciative of all this generosity – and creativity.