— by Kim Bryan, Executive Director, DVSAS —
October usually encourages us to pull our sweaters, scarves and boots out of the back of the closet to meet the chill in the air. How many of you noticed that this year was different? There was a new warmth in the air all over the islands with the most heat radiating from Friday Harbor Espresso.
That’s because owner Mark Brokman agreed to take the challenge to “Share the Warmth to Help Stop the Violence.” During the month of October, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands (DVSAS) challenged all of us to donate a quarter every time we enjoyed a warm drink. Everywhere, at home, work and play, the noisy sound of coins and the soft flutter of dollar bills could be heard dropping into cups, jars or baggies to save and send to DVSAS to help stop the violence and “Share the Warmth.”
With an average of two cups a day for each of us you can see how quickly the heat could rise and the violence could lessen. As just one coffee shop caring enough to “Share the Warmth”; Friday Harbor Espresso raised over 800 dollars!
If you missed out on this warming experience don’t despair. You can just estimate your average number of warm drinks a day times 25 cents and times that by 30 days and send your check to DVSAS at PO Box 3175 Friday Harbor WA 98250.
Plan now to make each October the warmest month of the year by encouraging your favorite coffee shop and friends to care enough to join in on this warming experience too.
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