Veterans Day Gifting

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

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.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

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

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

@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

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

INDIANA BONES · ‎01-01-2014

@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.