Cups4Cups

The Java Jar participates in statewide breast cancer awareness event

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 4/10/19

TORRINGTON – Torrington’s Main Street is longtime home to The Java Jar – one of 25 coffee shops across Wyoming participating in a breast cancer awareness event this week.

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Cups4Cups

The Java Jar participates in statewide breast cancer awareness event

Posted

TORRINGTON – Torrington’s Main Street is longtime home to The Java Jar – one of 25 coffee shops across Wyoming participating in a breast cancer awareness event this week.

“Volunteers with (the) Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative are coordinating with local coffee shops across Wyoming to host the second-annual statewide ‘Cups4Cups’ event on Saturday, April 13,” according to a press release. “Participating coffee shops will ‘pink out’ their business, offer specials to promote the event, and donate a portion of their proceeds to WBCI. Funds will be granted into a breast cancer early detection screening voucher program available in every Wyoming county.”

This is The Java Jar’s first year participating, and owners Patti Harmon and Kris Walrath-Brooks said they were eager to host the event.

“We were right on top of it,” Harmon said. “We thought it sounded like a great idea.”

In addition to the workers wearing pink t-shirts, The Java Jar will feature pink balloons, cupcakes, cake pops, and special hours Saturday in honor of Cups4Cups.

“We’re collecting money all week long (in donation boxes at each register),” Harmon said. “Saturday, we’ll be open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this event.”

One of The Java Jar’s most popular flavor combinations is the Pink Rabbit: raspberry and white chocolate. The business has pledged to add an extra dollar to the Cups4Cups fund Saturday whenever a customer orders a Pink Rabbit-flavored beverage.

“My sister-in-law had breast cancer, and she’s a survivor,” Harmon said. “As well as a good friend of ours.”

“Everybody has acquaintances or family members affected,” Walrath-Brooks added. “I like (this program) because the money stays in the state to help promote breast cancer awareness in Wyoming.”

Now in its fourth year, the volunteer-led WBCI raises funds to increase breast health education, financially assist with breast cancer screenings, fund cancer patient navigation programs and offer support to breast cancer survivors and families, according to a press release. Funds raised by the WBCI are granted into various Wyoming breast cancer programs and are also used to pay for a statewide voucher program through the Wyoming Cancer Resource Services.

Through the first three years, the WBCI granted more $300,000 into 38 programs in all Wyoming counties, in addition to the voucher program. 2019 grant applications will be available in early summer through the Wyoming Community Foundation with funds awarded by the end of 2019. 

“There has been a high level of interest all across Wyoming to participate in this event. We encourage folks to grab a friend and support your local coffee shop and this great cause,” Cara Nett, president of the WBCI advisory team, said. “WBCI is grateful for each coffee shop to help provide much-needed funding for early detection screening.”

To learn more about the WBCI or to donate, visit www.wyomingbreastcancer.org or email at info@wyomingbreastcancer.org.

“We really wanted to give back to this to help people get the awareness out and get pre-screened,” Walrath-Brooks said.