Seniors Braden Snyder and Michael Krupka will host a charity event they are calling Free Coffee Co. tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the First Lady’s Garden to raise money for local charity Sparrow’s Promise. There will be free coffee and a free concert performed by junior Austin Varner and senior Jay Bogardus.
They are raising money to help support the building of a new playground for Sparrow’s Promise — a charity to help foster children find healthy homes. Representatives from the nonprofit wil lattend the leap day event and accept donations to go toward their remaining $10,000 goal to complete the project.
“It’s an awesome organization,” Snyder said. “We’re trying to raise as much money as we possibly can.”
The event started as a small idea one night when Snyder and Krupka started talking about the idea of opening a small coffee shop for their friends to celebrate the holiday that comes once every four years.
“All of a sudden, this idea of giving away free stuff kind of popped in our heads,” Snyder said. “Then we were like, ‘What if we made it bigger and got a charity involved?’”
Snyder and Krupka met with assistant professor of Bible Dr. Andrew Baker about which charity to involve and decided on Sparrow’s Promise. Snyder and Krupka then contacted RoZark Hills Coffee Roasterie to ask if they would consider donating coffee for the event.
The company donated a $50 bag of espresso blend, which will be used to make black coffee, iced coffee, hot and iced lattes, and more. The two roommates will be hard at work using their personal espresso makers and serving coffee until supplies run out.
“I’m pretty convinced they’re going to make a lot of money,” Varner said.
Bogardus and Varner will play live music at the coffee shop, which will be great for a study break to relax, enjoy music, hang out with friends and support a great cause.
“I’m really excited to see how the community responds to the event,” Bogardus said. “I’m glad Braden and Michael are doing something to bless others and that Sparrow’s Promise is getting the help that they deserve.”
If you’re interested in helping with the event, contact Braden Snyder at bsnyder2@harding.edu.
“If you think you have a good idea and God is putting it on your heart, run with it and see where it goes, because you can’t fail when you’re working for him,” Snyder said.
