Barbaric Bean Coffee Donating a Cup of Java to US Soldiers
The COASTER, December 23, 2010
By DON STINE
Every American serviceman or woman appreciates a few comforts in life when serving abroad and going into harm’s way, but one small comfort that usually pleases everyone is a nice, hot cup of coffee.
And, so, that is exactly what Margie and Joe Parrillo, owners of Barbaric Bean Coffee Roasters at 48 Main Ave., Ocean Grove, are doing this holiday season-collecting coffee donated by their patrons and sending it to military personnel overseas.
“We came up with the idea of sending ground coffee beans to our veterans who are in harm’s way,” Joe said recently.
The Parrillo’s said their son-in-law, David Barnhill, is now serving in the U.S. Navy in Japan and that some of the coffee donated is now being sent to his aviation squadron there.
“The servicemen and women love getting the coffee, especially already ground since it is easier to use,” Joe said. Patrons of Barbaric Bean can purchase a half-pound for $6 or a full-pound at $12 and then the coffee shop will pay for shipping the ground coffee to the service men and women.
Each person donating the coffee also gets to write a brief note to a serviceman or woman that will be included with the coffee.
“It’s usually just a sentimental note of encouragement,” Margie said.
The Parrillo’s said they have already sent 17 pounds of coffee and plan to send another 17 to 20 pounds this week.
“We’ve had a great response and every one we have spoken to about this has been very enthusiastic,” Margie said. “We did this once before with a soldier in Iraq, plus we gave him a grinder. He was so appreciative and thankful that he even came and visited us.”
Joe said he believes it is important to let our country’s servicemen and women know that we support them.
“We need to encourage them and let them know we are thinking about them,” he said.
Margie said the coffee is currently being sent to Barnhill’s squadron in Japan but that the shipments will be moved round to different Navy aviation squadrons.
She said the shipments of coffee are expected to reach the military personnel by Christmas.
The Parrillo’s said they hope to keep this program going and reach out to other branches of the military as well in the future.
