Helping Keep America a Safe Place to Sleep at Night

April 17, 2007 (Press Release) -- “We are not trying to open up a forum to discuss our beliefs on the War; as we have stated more than once;” stated Joe Wells; co-founder and coffee roaster at Island Joes Gourmet Coffee Roasting Company located in old town Key West, Florida. “We just feel we should do something; as everyone should; no matter how small or larger; the let the men and women keeping America a safe place to sleep at night; we are thinking of them. We get up in the morning; have cup of coffee; take the kids to school and many other things in our everyday life. Why? Because we have men and women overseas making sure we can enjoy these everyday simple pleasures in life. So we decided to do more than just talk about it. As a matter of fact; we would not even be making our helping hand public; but we felt by going public we could offer others the opportunity to offer a helping hand.”
Let start by reviewing the one of the first emails Island Joes Coffee received from Trooper.


Dear: Island Joe's Gourmet Coffee Company,

My name is Michael DiNicola. I am a US Army Sergeant First Class stationed / serving in Afghanistan. I absolutely love your dark French Roast coffee. The Army Mess-hall serves horrible coffee here. I have been only able to get "lame" coffee like Folgers. Could you please send us some of your wonderful dark French Roast coffee beans? We have fallen in on a coffee grinder but have no beans to grind. This would greatly increase my morale & the morale of my fellow soldiers. My troops have also mentioned how much they miss your coffee as well. My address is;
Michael J. DiNicola
A Co. 1-285th ARB
TF Corsair
APO AE 09355

First a little history, this small family owned and operated coffee roasting company, was founded by a dad; two sons, Trey and Brandon; and a daughter; AJ at a gas station in Marathon Florida. No where in the Florida Keys could Wells find get a cup of fresh roasted gourmet coffee - everyday; so he and his children got to together and begin roasting coffee. Hence a few short years later; Island Joes Gourmet Coffee Roasting Company is one of the highest rated coffee roasters in the state of Florida with several gourmet coffee blends rating in the top 5% in the world (coffeereview.com).
With gourmet coffee blends like Beemers Breakfast Blend; rating 91 out of 100; Misty Mornings rating 88 out of 100; Smugglers Brew rating 88 out of 100 and not forgetting two our Island Joes Espresso Blends both rated 90 out of 100; people around the world are noticing the Wells family.
“Our passion for roasting coffee has built us an international customer base;” Wells stated; “As we have customers in China; England; Puerto Rico; Canada and all across the United States. Even some of the larger supermarket chains are offering Island Joes Coffee in limited areas; i.e. Albertsons Supermarket.”
Continuing; Wells went on to say; “We are a small batch coffee roasting company and quite frankly; we can not keep up the pace to offer our troops coffee all the time; so ask our online customers to help out and set up a page on our website, so they could purchase not just coffee; but gourmet coffee to send to our troops. This is why we went public. If you do not believe the troop enjoy our coffee; just read the email below ...”


Joe,
1. We can handle it! Also, I have buddies in other Foward Opperaitng Bases (FOBs) that I can put the coffee on a helicopter & get it to them. That would really lift their spirits! We've got troops spread out throughout this entire country. They would absolutely love to enjoy a pot of your coffee. Hell, to be honest, making your coffee is almost as good as drinking it. My troops ask to smell the grounds after I freshly gound it! The aroma carries even outside the Command Post (CP) when it's brewing! The morale is instantaniously lifted. It's actually funny, the pilot's & mechanics request that I (alone) make the coffee here. I actually come in on my day off to make coffee for everyone! They all say it's an "Italian-Thing." but I don't know?
I can't discuss on-going missions but, I'm planning on something special for you on the next big assault! I'm going to put an American flag (full-size) inside one of our Apache helicopters prior to the mission & have it flown during the mission. After the mission, I am going to produce a certificate presenting the flag to you from all of us. You can hang the certificate in your coffee shop & the flag outside or where-ever! The flag will have actually flown in combat, inside an Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter.
I flew a flag for my wife & son, & sent it to them. I did the same thing w/ my dad & grandfather who are also combat veterans. I will also have one of my troops take pictures of me inserting the flag into the aircraft, removing it, & send you the pictures.
Well Joe, it was really good to hear from you. Honestly, I enjoy seeing e-mails from you. You are a real cool guy. I sincerely appreciate your patriotism & for everything you are doing for us. I'll write back to you soon!
Have a great day (or night).
Sincerely,
Mike

In closing; Wells went on to say; “Island Joes Coffee is a family and our family are our customers; as we roast with passion and live by our motto - Born out of Necessity and Crafted with Passion - The Proof in the Cup.”