A display of some of the coffee sleeves available at Brewed Beginnings in Paddock Lake that were decorated by Salem School students. Jim and Debi Rigney. the shop's owners, are giving donations customers make for the sleeves to the Salem Booster Club.
Jim and Debi Rigney, owners of Brewed Beginnings in Paddock Lake, were impressed by the efforts of the Salem Booster Club in preserving sports and extracurriculars activities at the school in the wake of budget cuts earlier this year. The shop also had several Salem School teachers as regular customers.
The couple wanted to come up with some way to help the boosters raise money for their functions.
“We were just trying to think of creative ways to support them that fit in with what we do,” Jim said.
This sleeve design offers some very practical advice.
What they figured out was they had a great idea literally right at hand.
The Rigneys came up with the idea of having kindergarten through third graders decorate white coffee cup sleeves. Now the sleeves are offered to Brewed Beginnings customers with the hope they will make a donation to the Booster Club as a thank you for the one-of-a-kind finger protection.
There are all kinds of designs from abstract designs to landscapes scenes to practical advice.
“They’re unique and they’re individual,” Debi said.
The Rigneys ordered donated 1,200 white coffee sleeves to the club. Jim picked a few to put on eBay to see what kind of money they could attract there.
“Everyone loves the idea and our customers look through them like the Hallmark Card aisle in the drug store,” Jim said.
What a fantastic idea. I think everyone at Salem Grade School should have one, especailly the teachers.
I salute Brewed Beginnings and the contribution that they are doing for our kids (without raising taxes!).
Its amazing what creative people can do to make this a better community.
Let’s support Brewed Beginnings – and I’ll meet you at BB for a cup of Java.
Wonderful idea. I think that all grades would have loved to decorate the sleeves also. Maybe if it is successful, this could be extended to k-8 kids to decorate more sleeves.