I’ll Have A Grande Latte, Hold The Sand
11.07.08 - 07:17 pm
Tribune/Debra Reid - Donated bags of Starbucks Thanksgiving blend coffee beans carry messages for American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The coffee will be a welcome treat said Web of Support founder P.J. Degross.
American troops stationed in the Middle East show off their bags of Starbucks coffee donated by local residents last spring. Photo courtesy of P.J. Degross.
For troops stationed overseas it can be a rare treat.
Starbucks District Manager Tim Grever discovered this after shipping 300 pounds of it in May.
“It was awesome. We got some great shots of troops holding coffee bags,” Grever said on Friday. “There’s not a whole lot of (good) coffee there. It’s a nice reminder of home.”
Grever’s 10 Starbucks stores in Reno and Sparks, plus some stores in Carson City, are collecting donations for next week’s shipment of “Thanksgiving Blend” destined for soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan. For a donation of any amount, local java-lovers can support the “Coffee for the Troops” through this weekend. Or, for $10.95, customers can buy a pound of beans and write a personal message on the bag.
“Some people fill the whole bag, some put their e-mail address,” said P.J. Degross, a Carson City resident and founder of WebofSupport.com. Degross started the coffee shipments about four years ago on her own dime — until Grever decided to help her out.
“I thank Starbucks for creating the opportunity for citizens to donate the coffee,” Degross said.
Degross, “known as Mom to her soldiers” she says, founded Web of Support in 2005 and now has 375 members across the country. Each member has adopted a soldier and ships needed items, such as thermoses and coffee grinders. Degross runs the organization out of her Carson City garage and is always looking for help. For more information, e-mail Degross at pjdahling@aol.com or visit WebofSupport.com.
Degross said she constantly receives e-mails of thanks or with new requests from her troops.
“Short of our weapons malfunctioning, the coffee grinder or coffee maker breaking down is our greatest fear,” said one soldier.
“The coffee drive sounds great. We counted yesterday and we drank 10 pots of coffee so it’s a highly valued commodity here,” wrote Cory in Afghanistan”
“We are looking forward to the coffee, thank you very much. This just helps me satisfy my Starbucks addiction and will keep us warm as we roll into the cool season,” Charles in Afghanistan wrote.
Starbucks coffee will be shipped to members of the Nevada National Guard Black Hawk Medivac unit next month, Degross said, though she cannot say where they will be deployed. Shipping costs will be covered by Starbucks.
“It’s not just coffee — it’s a symbol of America, it’s a symbol of home,” Degross said.
Donations can also be made payable to Soldiers' Angels, c/o P.J. Degross, P.O. Box 4717, Carson City, NV 89702.
© dailysparkstribune.com 2008
It good to see that the American troops stationed outside are respected by the local people. This is quite an interesting posting.
Posted by: DHB | June 11, 2009 at 04:58 AM