JavaJog for a Cause organizers welcome 2014 sponsors for the second annual run/walk to benefit the coffee-farming women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Westrock Coffee Company, which provides global export opportunities and purposeful employment to partners at origin, has signed on as Platinum Sponsor for the event. Equal Exchange, Baratza, Equator Coffees & Teas, and Schluter Coffee are providing Bronze Level support, and Roast Magazine is serving as the Media Sponsor.
A number of product sponsors, including Theo Chocolate, round out the current sponsorship lineup for JavaJog 2014, which will be held April 25, 2014 starting in Seattle’s South Lake Union Park.
“We are grateful to all our sponsors for this year’s race,” says Kimberly Easson, co-founder of the event, which was launched in early 2013 by Easson, Beth Ann Caspersen, and Aimee Russillo as a way to bring together fun and fitness in the coffee community – all to benefit a great cause.
“With their generous support, we are able to bring the race to Seattle, and help us reach our goal of $30,000. JavaJog is still welcoming additional sponsors and runners for the event,” she adds.
JavaJog’s ‘Founders Run’ was held in Boston, April 12, 2013. Fifteen runners participated, raising $7500, which was donated to the women’s committee of the Sopacdi farmer’s cooperative in South Kivu, DRC.
“The support from our sponsors – Westrock, Equal Exchange, Baratza, Equator Coffees & Teas, and Roast Magazine – will go a long way in helping us raise awareness and funds for the women in coffee farming communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” explains Easson.
We are excited to sponsor this year’s JavaJog.,” says Elizabeth McLaughlin of Westrock. “Like the organizers of JavaJog, we share a common goal of improving the lives of coffee farmers in Central and East Africa through the production of transparent, specialty coffee.
We know financial independence is the most empowering thing a woman can have, and that can be achieved through coffee. Groups like JavaJog help create this independence.”
The goal for the Seattle 2014 JavaJog is to raise $30,000 for women in coffee farming communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“While a much larger goal than last year, we wanted to set a goal that would allow us to raise more money for the cause,” explains Easson. “There are 8 farmer organizations in the region – Sopacdi is just one. And, by raising more money, we could help to link the groups together, and invest in activities across the region working together with local, community based organizations.
There is no doubt that the need is great, and if we can strengthen our impact through sponsorships and a goal of 100 runners, $30,000 seemed like a realistic number. To date, we have more than 60 runners registered and raising money.”
To sign up for this year’s run, or to support the cause, visit the JavaJog Crowdrise site. To learn more about the cause, visit JavaJog.org.
