I promise no whining this time!
Today, as part of the 31 for 21 Blog Challenge, I’m going to promote a product. I haven’t received any sort of freebie or been asked to endorse it – in fact, I’ve never even tried it! That’s not going to stop me from hawking it, however.
A couple of months ago I started following @AspirePrez on Twitter (not surprisingly, @AspirePrez is the president of an organization called Aspire). Aspire is a not-for-profit organization in the Chicagoland area with the following mission: Aspire provides quality lifetime supports to people with developmental disabilities so they can achieve their individual highest potential where they live, learn, work or play.
I know what you’re all thinking: Um, that’s great, but a charity isn’t a product, and Andi doesn’t live anywhere near Chicago. True and true. There’s something special about Aspire, though. In 2009, they launched a partnership with Metropolis Coffee Company to create Aspire Coffee Works, a supplier of finely crafted coffees. ACW provides not only an additional income stream for Aspire (100% of profits go to funding Aspire’s programs for children and adults with disabilities, including cerebral palsy and Down syndrome), but Aspire Coffee Works also employs individuals with disabilities. Their tagline is “great coffee doing good.” I love that! Simple and to the point.
Most of you are now probably thinking: Um, great, but I don’t live near Chicago. No problem! You can order online and right now they have free shipping on three or more bags.
Some of you may be thinking: Sounds great, and I do love coffee, but I try not to buy anything that isn’t both Fair Trade and organic certified (if you are thinking this, where exactly do you shop???) No worries, though! All of Aspire Coffee Works coffees are both certified organic (OCIA) and Fair Trade certified.
Now the rest of you may be thinking: It’s expensive, then, right? Not really. A pound of Starbucks breakfast blend will run you about $12. A pound of Aspire Roast, ACW’s breakfast blend, is $12.95. I like Starbucks (and capitalism) as much as the next person, but I’d rather thrown in that extra dollar that I know is going to help someone who needs it.
So if you like coffee (or know someone who does), check out Aspire Coffee Works! And if you’re local (or family) and would like to try some, shoot me an email and I can add your order to mine!
