Published: October 03, 2011
Caribou Coffee Plants Hope for a Cure
MINNEAPOLIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Caribou Coffee stores nationwide have gone pink in support of Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, with the company's 16-year-old Amy's Blend
program - created to honor of Amy Erickson, a beloved Caribou
roastmaster who valiantly fought breast cancer.
2011 Amy's Blend products, featuring the new packaging design by artist Andrew Bannecker. (Photo: Caribou Coffee)
Today, Amy's Blend remains at the center of Caribou Coffee's
philanthropic efforts, as the company donates 10 percent of all Amy's
Blend product proceeds to Susan G. Komen for a Cure. All Amy's Blend
products can be purchased in Caribou Coffee stores, or online at www.CaribouCoffee.com,
and include:
-
Amy's Blend Coffee Beans and Tea Tins
-
Amy's Blend Scarf
-
Amy's Blend Tumbler
-
Amy's Blend To-Go Cup
-
Amy's Tea Latte Fusion (in-store only)
Extending the mission
In 2010 Caribou Coffee took Amy's
Blend to the next level by bringing the program to life with a concept
called Amy's Garden. "We took Amy's favorite flower - the tulip - and
combined it with the symbolic pink color of breast cancer awareness,"
said Caribou Coffee CEO, Mike Tattersfield. "Commemorative tulip gardens
were then planted in Minneapolis and Chicago, as a tribute to Amy and
everyone who has been touched by breast cancer."
Consumers were able to go online and plant a virtual tulip dedicated to
someone that had been touched by breast cancer. Every tribute made
resulted in a real tulip being planted at one of the Amy's Garden sites,
and in total, more than 9,000 square feet of land was planted with
tulips.
Amy's Garden goes to Washington D.C.
For the second year in
a row, Caribou Coffee is partnering with Susan G. Komen to create Amy's
Garden, extending the program to Washington D.C., in addition to the two
Midwest locations. "We are thrilled to bring Amy's Garden to the
nation's capital, sharing her story with more people and widening
support for Susan G. Komen," said Tattersfield.
Similar to last year, consumers will be able to go online and submit a
dedication in support of finding a cure, but now the tributes will take
place on a much more visible and interactive platform - Facebook. Again,
for every submission that is made online, a real tulip will be planted
in Amy's National Garden of Hope at the historic Brookside
Gardens in D.C., and a message that the submitter stands with
Caribou Coffee in finding a cure, will be shared with each user's
Facebook network.
An artistic vision
For the 2011-2012 Amy's program, Caribou
Coffee worked with artist Andrew
Bannecker in redesigning the packing on all of the Amy's Garden
products. "Not only were we blown away by the caliber of Andrew's work,
but in talking with various artists we found he had a meaningful
connection to the cause," said Caribou Coffee's director of brand
communications, Sarah Townes. Bannecker, who is based out of Washington
D.C. - with work featured in studios across the world - has witnessed
his grandmother, mother-in-law and aunt all battle the disease.
"When Caribou Coffee approached me with this project, I didn't hesitate
at all," said Bannecker. "I was extremely honored to be a part of a
program that gives back to the community in such an important way."
Bannecker used his passion for the cause as inspiration in designing
this year's Amy's Blend packaging, of which pink tulips are the focus.
"When I began sketching, I thought of how flowers are usually delivered
in a bouquet rather than individually; and for someone fighting breast
cancer it's the same way - the effects of the disease are always greater
than that one individual," Bannecker explained. "If you look at the
tulip design on an Amy's blend bag, you'll see that I used a layering
aspect, as the tulip petals are meant to personify individuals - a
family or group of friends - supporting one another and fighting for a
cure."
Commercial landscaping company, The
Brickman Group, even used Bannecker's Amy's Blend packaging designs
as inspiration in designing this year's third and newest Amy's Garden in
Washington D.C. "I can't wait until the tulips bloom next spring," said
Bannecker. "It will be wonderful to see strangers brought together to
enjoy something truly beautiful, in support of a truly worthy cause."
Commercial Extension
Building on an already strong, six-year
partnership with Susan G. Komen, Caribou Coffee this month launched Cup
with Purpose --- a new coffee blend for the commercial food service
industry. Similar to Amy's Blend, a portion of the proceeds from Cup
with Purpose will benefit breast cancer research, and help Caribou
Coffee reach their $200,000 donation goal for Susan G. Komen.
For more information, check out www.CaribouCoffee.com,
or visit Caribou Coffee's Facebook
page and make an Amy's Garden dedication to help Find a Cure.
Life is short. Do good.
Twittercue: @Caribou_Coffee supports Breast Cancer Awareness
Month this October through multi-platform Amy's program http://on.fb.me/nOSESE
About Caribou Coffee
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company
is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States,
with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers. Based on
the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest
company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. As
of July 3, 2011, the Company had 554 coffeehouses, including 147
franchised locations, in 20 states, the District of Columbia and nine
international markets. The Company's coffeehouses aspire to be the
community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary
experience that makes their day better. Caribou Coffee provides the
highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items
with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in
a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition,
Caribou Coffee's unique coffees are available within grocery stores,
mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice
providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou
Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green
Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote
sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit www.cariboucoffee.com.
About Susan G. Komen
That promise is now Susan G. Komen for
the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having
invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982. As the world's
largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists,
we're working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality
care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events
like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day
for the Cure, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors
and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit
funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
About Brookside Gardens
Brookside Gardens is Montgomery
County's incomparable, award-winning 50-acre public display garden
situated within Wheaton Regional Park. Included in the gardens are
several distinct areas: Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden,
Children's Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Style Garden, Trial Garden,
Rain Garden and the Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens areas include a
Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, the Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden.
Brookside Gardens also feature two conservatories for year-round
enjoyment.
About Brickman Group
Enhancing the American Landscape since
1939, Brickman is a leader in the commercial landscape industry. With
over 160 branches serving 29 states, every Brickman client, large or
small, benefits from responsive local service, backed by abundant
nationwide resources.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50015158&lang=en
For Caribou Coffee:
Johnna Vogelbacher
612-305-6329
johnna.vogelbacher@exponentpr.com
or
Cassie
D'Kae
612-305-6351
cassie.dkae@exponentpr.com
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