topic Re: Veterans Day Gifting in Community Chat

Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:01:06 GMT

They say no good deed goes unpunished, and I know how things often crash and burn on the forums, but here goes -

I was reminded this morning of something quick, easy and inexpensive that we can do for active duty veterans serving here and overseas as a 'we remember you' and a thank you.

A company called Green Beans Coffee has small outposts of Starbucks-type "coffee houses" on military bases around the world (even in the middle of the desert) and in the US. Several years ago, the US govt asked the company to do this - so they're on the level.

They have created a program, with the govt's blessing, to gift cups of coffee, hot or cold, tea, whatever to soldiers. It's called Cup of Joe for a Joe. Each $2 donated=a cup of coffee voucher for a soldier. You can send a note along with it if you like (don't have to) and also only if you like, your email address can be included so the soldier can thank you personally - if they choose.

I have gotten many emails back, and whether I did or not, I still know I made someone's day who just might not have anyone else to send them surprises.

You can google green beans coffee and "cup of joe for a joe" and get all the info needed. I'm not going to post any links because I don't want the thread removed on a technicality. It's easy to find.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Cakers3 — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:11:28 GMT

Thank you for this and please keep in mind that there are scammers out there - the only way to connect with our troops through this program is through the pen pal program itself with Cup of Joe for Joe - any contact through other means such as Facebook are not legit.

Thank you to all our troops and God bless.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

151949 — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:13:54 GMT

Thank ypou for posting this - good to know. Does this only work for active duty serviceman or for veterans as well?

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:27:44 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
Thank you for this and please keep in mind that there are scammers out there - the only way to connect with our troops through this program is through the pen pal program itself with Cup of Joe for Joe - any contact through other means such as Facebook are not legit.

Thank you to all our troops and God bless.

I connected through FB years ago and all was well - the links took me directly to their website. But I understand that recently there has been some kind of FB scamming going on with COJ, sadly, so yes - please go directly to the company's website.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Cakers3 — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:30:28 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:
Thank you for this and please keep in mind that there are scammers out there - the only way to connect with our troops through this program is through the pen pal program itself with Cup of Joe for Joe - any contact through other means such as Facebook are not legit.

Thank you to all our troops and God bless.

I connected through FB years ago and all was well - the links took me directly to their website. But I understand that recently there has been some kind of FB scamming going on with COJ, sadly, so yes - please go directly to the company's website.

Hi: I wasn't clear - I meant scammers tracking people down through FB and seeing that they contributed then contacting those donors and asking for $$$ while pretending to be a recipient in the coffee program. I was speaking in terms of the email/pen pal issue. hth

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:33:26 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Thank ypou for posting this - good to know. Does this only work for active duty serviceman or for veterans as well?

The COJ program specifically is just for active duty, as the vouchers are distributed on base, where the coffe shops and servicemen are.

However, the website also sells coffee/beans that anyone can buy and send/have sent to anyone they like - themselves, friends and neighbors, veterans, etc. Some of these are also packaged so that some of the proceeds go to specific veteran and veterans' family-related causes.

Also - if you have a specific soldier in mind, you can enter specific info so that bags of coffee can be sent to them or their unit.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 17:36:33 GMT

@Cakers3 wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:
Thank you for this and please keep in mind that there are scammers out there - the only way to connect with our troops through this program is through the pen pal program itself with Cup of Joe for Joe - any contact through other means such as Facebook are not legit.

Thank you to all our troops and God bless.

I connected through FB years ago and all was well - the links took me directly to their website. But I understand that recently there has been some kind of FB scamming going on with COJ, sadly, so yes - please go directly to the company's website.
Hi: I wasn't clear - I meant scammers tracking people down through FB and seeing that they contributed then contacting those donors and asking for $$$ while pretending to be a recipient in the coffee program. I was speaking in terms of the email/pen pal issue. hth

I was given the choice, after I'd donated on the site, to post to FB that I'd donated - but it would have given ALL my FB info to Green Beans and I didn't want that, so I just didn't do it. My scam-dar is excellent - but your post is a good reminder.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

INDIANA BONES — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 19:39:45 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
They say no good deed goes unpunished, and I know how things often crash and burn on the forums, but here goes -

I was reminded this morning of something quick, easy and inexpensive that we can do for active duty veterans serving here and overseas as a 'we remember you' and a thank you.

A company called Green Beans Coffee has small outposts of Starbucks-type "coffee houses" on military bases around the world (even in the middle of the desert) and in the US. Several years ago, the US govt asked the company to do this - so they're on the level.

They have created a program, with the govt's blessing, to gift cups of coffee, hot or cold, tea, whatever to soldiers. It's called Cup of Joe for a Joe. Each $2 donated=a cup of coffee voucher for a soldier. You can send a note along with it if you like (don't have to) and also only if you like, your email address can be included so the soldier can thank you personally - if they choose.

I have gotten many emails back, and whether I did or not, I still know I made someone's day who just might not have anyone else to send them surprises.

You can google green beans coffee and "cup of joe for a joe" and get all the info needed. I'm not going to post any links because I don't want the thread removed on a technicality. It's easy to find.

Thank you for sharing this post. There are many restaurants that feed Vets for free on Veterans day. I know in my area Golden Corral is one with their huge buffe that feeds any Vet on Veterans Day.. I try to support the restaurants that are so giving to our Vets all year round. These are they businesses we want to keep very successful as they are willing to share their profits. FYI my green light is on my home. No one will be able to see it by driving by but when the helicopters come over my home from the bases about 100 miles away they will be able to see the green light. We usually hear the copters over our home weekly so I plan to leave one green light on at all times. So grateful to live in the USA.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

brii — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 22:36:46 GMT

What a nice thread!

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Lila Belle — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 03:09:31 GMT

Most active military or vets just appreciate a handshake or a pat on the arm for their sacrifice and service.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 14:23:34 GMT

This is certainly not why I donate, but they have apparently started distributing my vouchers, as I've received a thank-you already, all the way from Qatar. I've donated before where it can take quite a while to hear from the soldiers - some are in combat areas.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 22:43:12 GMT

Please help me out on this one. Our trops are sent with the best and finest the job requires. They don't go hungry and often get many of the amenities we have here stateside. So, why think that Starbucks isn't there in some form or another? I've been asked to contribute here and there for the troops for just about everything. We didn't send them in with pauper conditions. Let me know what is going on please.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 21:21:54 GMT

Not going to dignify with a reply.

Re: Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 01:42:04 GMT

Since there's so much diisent about coffee lately ;-) here's simething good to do with coffee, and for Veterans.