New Year’s Day
Around the world as everybody celebrated the new year by partaking in their favorite traditions of popping champagne, late-night parties, and fireworks; in Anchorage, the city celebrated with charity, community, and coffee. On Jan. 1, 2016, Kaladi Brothers Coffee continued their 25-year tradition by donating 100 percent of their coffee revenues to charity.
It’s a tradition for Kaladi Brothers Coffee to ring in the new year with a day of giving. On the first day of each year, baristas volunteer to keep the coffee shops open - and Kaladi donates 100 percent of its beverage revenue to a local youth-oriented non-profit organization. Each year, the Kaladi staff nominates and votes on which organization will be the beneficiary. Last year, employees chose Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC), which received more than $31,500 from the event (Kaladi raised $15,750 and Shell Alaska matched 100 percent of the funds Kaladi raised). This year, the Kaladi staff chose the Children’s Lunchbox, a program of Beans Café, whose mission is to provide nutritious meals for hungry children in Anchorage.
The Children’s Lunchbox program and the popularity of this tradition attracted several new Alaskan businesses this year to give the fundraiser a huge boost. First National Bank Alaska, GCI, and Saltchuk family of companies (Northern Air Cargo, Carlile Transportation and TOTE Maritime) each matched dollar-for-dollar what Kaladi raised. The Rasmuson Foundation matched 100 percent of all the matches. In essence, the matches multiplied one coffee purchase donation by eight times.
“We all know how important it is for children to have a healthy meal,” said First National Chair and President Betsy Lawer. “It helps ready them for success in school where they can learn the skills needed to lead our state to continued economic success. First National is proud to join other Alaska businesses to help prepare Alaska’s future leaders.”
“The Kaladi New Year’s Day Giving program has become an Alaska tradition and GCI is happy to
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is Kaladi Coffee Day in Anchorage