Approximately one month ago, my cousin Ben, who is serving in the US Army, was deployed to Iraq. The reality of life there has set in quickly. Ben is trying to get adjusted to his new life on foreign soil and when I inquired about his most wanted list, there was no hesitation when he said COFFEE. Things like this, we sometimes take for granted because it’s so easily accessible, but for our troops, coffee and so many other things have quickly become a luxury that they miss so much.
The Starbucks located inside of the Walton, Kentucky Kroger Marketplace is helping to promote an event to collect coffee for Ben and his fellow soldiers currently serving our great country.
My aunt Martha is a teacher at the elementary school across the street and her class is using this as a part of their service learning project to learn about our troops, their sacrifices and to be a part of helping raise donations. Any coffee (or other items) collected will be shipped at the personal expense of my aunt.
I hesitated in mentioning this part, but the aunt that I refer to is not Ben’s mother. His mother (and my aunt) passed 2 years ago when he was just 18 (and his brother 15). Since, my aunt and uncle have taken them in and provided for their needs. They accept them as her own children and anyone on the outside would never know any different. They are such kind and giving people, putting everyone else first. I would love to see donations collected to help cover the shipping so they is not left to bear this expense on her own. This coffee will be distributed to so many of the soldiers that are stationed with Ben and they will all benefit from your generosity!
If you are in or around Walton, please stop in and purchase some coffee (from Starbucks or from Kroger) and leave it with the donation stash so it can be shipped overseas.
I have received a few emails and a comment asking about contributing if they are not local or can’t attend. If you would like to help out with shipping and include a personal message for our troops, please note that I have added a donate button under Ben’s photo in the side bar.
EVENT INFORMATION:
- Starbucks located inside of the Kroger Marketplace, Walton, KY
- Saturday and Sunday (November 15 & 16), 12-6pm
- If you prefer to purchase another brand of coffee to donate, you are welcome to do so! Any contribution is welcome and greatly appreciated!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
You are amazing Becky! God bless for all your selfless acts of kindness.
Mel, you are so sweet, but I can’t take credit for this one – it’s all Martha! I am just sharing the info to try and get as much coffee donated.
But Mel – I forgot to mention that I will take God’s blessings though (LOL) as I can use all the blessings I can get.
I need a little more info to help out on this an address where money and stuff can be sent please.
You are amazing Becky! God bless for all your selfless acts of kindness………
Sherry, thank you so much! WOW…what a generous offer. Would you like an address for us or for Ben directly? Send me an email and I can get it over to you.
Would posting a Paypal donation button be of interest? I can do that if anyone would like to contribute for this.
Is it instant coffee or regular?
Either would be great. This weekend Starbucks is promoting the instant, but there will be a coffee pot sent over as well (I know some of the soldier have one already), but my cousin is sending another.
okay I purchased some $2 off for folgers and Kroger has them on sale next week. How would I get these to you after Sunday. I am thinking about 3 – 4 containers.
You are so sweet Beth! Approx where are you located? We will work out something.
In Union
Oh Beth, you are so close! Let me know if you do get it and I will come and pick it up if you’d like!
Thanks again. I got your email BTW. I tried to talk to someone at our Kroger yesterday, but unfortunately did not get the most helpful associate. I will try back this week and hope for a better turnout (or I’ll just call up to corporate) to get all of the details to post. Thanks for the heads up on that one!
I found on the information on kroger’s website. There is a bar code that you take in to have them scan onto your card. You must do this every year. At that point Any Soldier, Inc. will get a percent of all your purchases. It’s something like what they do for school/churches. When I went in to have the program set up on my card. No one knew anything about the program. I just printed the bar code. Going to put on all my families kroger cards also. And make sure to update every year. I have a family christmas open house. This year I am going to select a unit from Any Soldier and have family member bring items to send to this troop. I’m going to give back. And try to get family involved.