The Caribou Coffee Company today presented a check for more than $147,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) during a ceremony in Minneapolis. Half of the proceeds came from sales of “Amy’s Blend”, a special coffee Caribou offers each year in honor of Amy Erickson, one of the company’s original roastmasters who succumbed to breast cancer in 1995 at the age of 33.
Caribou Coffee earmarked 10 percent of “Amy’s Blend” sales for the NBCF. This year’s presentation of more than $147,000 is five times the $28,000 donation made last year by Caribou Coffee.
“Amy’s passion for coffee has remained strong with everyone at Caribou,” Caribou CEO Michael J. Coles says. “With ‘Amy’s Blend,’ we both honor her memory and give back by raising funds for an organization that helps to educate and support those affected by breast cancer. This year, we planned to greatly exceed our 2004 total, and we are very pleased to have raised so much more money. It demonstrates that our customers’ hearts are in the same place as ours.”
NBCF President Janelle Hail accepted Caribou’s donation. “Caribou Coffee’s generous donation will be invaluable in helping us to educate women about the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer,” she says. “With this donation, we can offer hope for future generations by funding educational programs and free mammograms to those in need.” Hail is a 25-year breast cancer survivor and the founder of the NBCF, working tirelessly to promote breast cancer education and awareness.
The total amount of the donation was $147,151.46. Caribou raised $73,575.73, which The Coca-Cola Company matched. Hail accepted the check at a Caribou Coffee store in Minneapolis. Bill Levisay, senior vice president of customer and alliance marketing group at The Coca-Cola Company, also attended the check presentation.
“The Coca-Cola Company was very pleased to be able to contribute to such an important cause again this year by matching Caribou’s donation to the NBCF,” says Levisay.
“Amy’s Blend” was on sale from April 24 through May 30. Coles says, “We expanded the program this year with ‘Amy’s Blend’ Natural Decaf, allowing consumers who prefer decaf to enjoy this special coffee as well and help us raise even more money in the fight against breast cancer.”
As with all Caribou coffees, “Amy’s Blend” was developed with only the highest-quality beans. The blend combines citrus high notes with a smooth harmonious silkiness. Underneath it all is a subtle yet delightful hint of melon flavor. “Amy’s” is a lighter roast made of beans from Africa and the Americas. This special coffee is a tribute to the vision and passion of one of Caribou Coffee’s visionary pioneers.
In 2004, Caribou opened its current quality control facility and rededicated it as the “Amy Erickson Cupping and Quality Laboratory.” The lab is a part of Amy’s legacy, as it honors her constant dedication to the quality that goes into every sip of coffee at Caribou.
