UPDATE:  We tried to keep it going as it was for the past 6 years, but this will no longer work as it once did.  Our only option for the overseas shipments is to have the boxes sponsored.  EACH BOX IS FILLED WITH +/- $100 worth of Starbucks coffee.  You can now sponsor (aka pay for shipment of the box at $12.50 each.) to a desert-deployed troop.

click link>>> SPONSOR A BOX FOR A TROOP

What?!  You heard Starbucks doesn't support the troops?  That is soooo 2003 ... And so not true!  You've probably gotten a copy of that old email -- I can't get an e-mail out about the good things being done for the troops but that e-mail goes round & round! Here's the retraction to that original e-mail and the facts behind the whole fiasco.

A huge salute to our Heroes at Starbucks!!!  lj

Welcome to Operation Caffeination!  Starbucks has graciously donated many many pounds of their great coffee since the war in Iraq began.  Originally, all we asked was that you send us your great smiles & messages that we share with Starbucks and everyone else, right here on the HeroToHero.US site.  We found a direct correlation between those smiling faces and the donations to support the effort.  As time went on and the coffee continued going out, the photos weren't coming in as often.  We have now had to change the program in order to continue it in any fashion.  To avoid the shipment costs, we will now be sharing this coffee with local wounded troops who are in recovery and transition.  Overseas shipments will need to be sponsored now.

WHAT WE LEARNED:  It is harder and harder to get support - and the economy isn't helping.  We reallllly count on YOUR support to keep us going.  We need are your smiles ~ They go a long way in showing the supporting businesses that their efforts are appreciated.  As the wars have dragged on and the plight of the troops is not front page anymore, the responses from the sand are sooo important.  You can still help the mission - Send your pix!

For the record ... We can tell you personally that Starbucks has supported our troops from the start.  We began HeroToHero.US in 2003 and really got it moving in 2004.  We used to hold our meetings in our local Starbucks until the group got too big and we felt we were taking up too much of their seating area.  From the beginning, every time we asked for Starbucks coffee for the troops, it was provided.  Yes, the coffee came from barista mark outs in the beginning, but as we grew and they saw that we were a reliable and continuing troop morale campaign, that began changing.

Every time we had an event for the troops, we knew Starbucks would be there at our side.  They donated merchandise for our gift baskets that helped raise funds to send shirts to the troops, and they made sure everyone was enjoying the events with a nice cup of coffee in their hand.

Starbucks does Coffee Drives for the troops here in the Puget Sound.  Starbucks has become another link in the connection between fire, police & the troops.  Sometimes we're delayed for shipping.  Each box costs us $12.50 to send, might not sound like much, until you do the math.  We tried to do this on a scratch our back kinda set up, all we asked for was photos like the ones on this page and a message, then the coffee was sent free.  Sadly one of the realities of a war that lingers on and on is that the troops get a little less involved in sticking to their part and consequently, there is less to show our contributors that the troops appreciate their donations ... and the well dries up.  After several years of dwindling responses, we can no longer afford to send free. 

How can you help?  Each box of coffee we send out contains +/-$100 of coffee, which we get for free.  However we pay to ship it all over.  We use the large military Flat Rate boxes which cost us $12.50 each to ship.  This has taken a very large chunk of our program money to continue.  **Unfortunately, we now must charge for overseas shipments and focusing more on the wounded troops that have come home and are still in transition - or units that can arrange shipment.  If you'd like to donate to help us keep sending, checks can be sent to:

Operation Caffeination
Attn: Liz Jackson
5700 100th Ave SW #224
Lakewood, WA 98499

**Make checks payable to: Hero To Hero

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**Check out the new photo gallery for a few of the smiles Starbucks has provided with HeroToHero.US via >> "OPERATION CAFFEINATION"

WHAT THE TROOPS ARE SAYING ...

"I've always enjoyed Starbucks coffee.  Enjoying it while deployed just reminds me of home being that my unit is from Washington.  Thanks for your support!"  Juana Fecteau

"Operation Caffeination, Just wanted to send a quick thank you for the care package of Starbucks coffee you sent, it was much appreciated. We have been very busy here doing combat logistic patrols daily, the coffee helps us stay awake. The soldiers are very thankful for everything that is sent here. Most of all we appreciate your thoughts and prayers."  Thanks again, Platoon Sergeant .. C TRP 2-107th CAV

"I just want to thank you for the support you have given all of us that are deployed.  Your support conforts us while we are away from our friends and families.  Thank You"  from your friends at 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), 2nd Infantry Division.

"We Appreciate what you are doing to make life here a little better."  TAMP (CECOM)

"Thank you for your support of 3rd Platoon Bravo Troop 4-73 Cav, 82 Airborne Division Ft Bragg NC."  SSg Moates, Sgt Tate & SFC Notine

"Thank you for your support." SSG Huerta

"Thank you for your support. Being from the NW, Starbucks is home for us."  CPT Stalding, 5/2 ID (SBCT)

"It's the little things that make home seem not so far away.  Thanks."  SSgt Criswell

"Thank you so much for providing us with a little taste of home."  CPT Whitaker

"When we are home, we have a "coffee donation" box where everyone in the division gives a little money so we can get some great Starbucks coffee.  Just thinking about getting that same great coffee in a care package when we are out to sea brightens our day! Thank you!"  ET2 Jones

"Everyone here is dying to taste some decent coffee again, what  we do get in care packages is usually used up in a day or so.  A taste of home goes a long way in making the days better."  Patrick Schlote

"We are diehard customers and will continue to support our local franchise for the speciality coffees and snacks."  CW3 Rector

"Thanks for the coffee.  It's a life-saver and keeps us going daily!!"  Maj Malik

"THANKS SO MUCH AND WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE CLEARED UP THAT HORRIBLE E-MAIL THAT IS SOMEHOW STILL CIRCULATING!!"  Spc Ginter

"Thanks for keeping us awake on third shift Starbucks!"  SFC Zeller

"Our unit is just arriving in theatre for a year long deployment.  Flying day and night, nothing picks us up after a hard mission like a good cup of coffee.  Thank you Starbucks for supporting us while we support you."  CW2 Erickson

"Thanks for your support! We work through many hours of the night to tell all the Servicemembers stories and Starbucks on more than one occassion has made it happen."  CPT Frink

"Most of us love Starbucks. Back in the States, we use to meet up at Starbucks in the morning to get our day started.  Thank you Starbucks for making us feel like home."  Davilla McQueary

"Thank you!"  David Hoar

"WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND WE THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US.  WE WILL NEED THE EXTRA ENERGY TO STAY AWAKE AND BE ALERT DURING CRITICAL TIMES IN THE OPERATIONS CENTER. THANKS AGAIN. AND GOD BLESS."  Roger Castillo

"Thank you for your support. We knew the rumors about you weren't true."  SSG Hernandez 

"You have no idea the little things from home that can make or break the day!  Thank you!"  Ssgt Justin Hill

"Starbucks is the best coffee ever!"  Sgt Caldwell

"Thank you so very much. It is a great comfort to know that the people of our nation show us so much support."  Sgt Hernandez

"We are from Washington State.  Starbucks is our coffee of choice, it will help bring a little bit of home to us here in Iraq!"  SFC Collins

"Thank you, WE MISS STARBUCKS!!!!"  Sgt Masheney

"THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES! MAY GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILIES, AND OUR GREAT NATION!!"  Sgt Haynes

"Thank you for your support of 3rd Platoon Bravo Troop 4-73 Cav, 82 Airborne Division Ft Bragg NC."  SFC James N.

"We appreciate your support to those deployed around the world. Life away from home is difficult - Starbucks coffee makes it a little more bearable."  CW4 Fitz

"Thank you for supporting us."  Spc Sturms

"Hope you don't run out because we'll be back for more.  WE LOVE STARBUCKS OUT HERE!"  Larry W, Afghanistan 

"Thank you once more to Starbucks and Hero To Hero.  These past couple weeks have sucked less than usual knowing there was a cup of GOOD coffee waiting for me in the morning!" -- Sgt Barry Johnson

"On behalf of the men and women of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group (AEG), we are honored to have your support. Your coffee aids in the morale and welfare of our Airmen and we most appreciative. Thank you so much for your dedicated support; it does not go unappreciated!" ~ 1Lt J. Brooke Arnold 

"I'd like to thank you for that first box of coffee.  Being a Fort Lewis, WA Soldier (by way of Kansas and now here in Iraq), I appreciate BIG TIME Starbucks coffee.  The only good coffee I can get is the coffee you sent.  

Anyway, here's a picture of the team taken today.  Hopefully, like I said, we will get more pictures in the near future.  If requesting another box of coffee goes through you, consider this a request.  We're almost out.  I will include my address again.  Thanks again!!!" ~ Maj Sean Malik

"Thank you from Counter IED Task Force East!"  ~ Maj David Klahn

"Greetings from Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, Thanks so much for the coffee!  It arrived safe and sound.  In fact, we’re all sitting around enjoying a great cup at the moment.  As you can see from the attached pictures, we were (and still are) thrilled to get the coffee.  It’s one of the few comforts we can get over here.  You may also notice in the pictures that we heavily caffeinated ourselves beforehand ;)  Please pass on that we had a great time sharing the messages written on the packages of coffee from all those who donated coffee!  The messages and thoughts were kind and uplifting.  We were also pleasantly surprised to see how many varieties of coffee were donated.  Thanks again from the 506th Expeditionary Communications Squadron!   Please let us know if you’d like some more pictures.  *Deployed (well some of us) from McChord AFB, WA"  ~ REASE D. WOLD, TSgt, USAF

 "Hello, Thank you for sending Starbucks coffee to the Communications Squadron here in Kirkuk Iraq.  I have observed an immediate improvement since the arrival of premium ground beans.  As with most work environments, the daily grind (pun intended) can put a toll on many folks and appeasement of one’s leadership can degrade.  I have noticed the increase of smiles in the morning and the one cup coffee after lunch by 75%.  This statistic has direct impact on lowering the amount of a** chewing handed out by senior leadership.  Though fun to watch public chewing, I remain most grateful for your donation to this fine operation.  Thank you." ~ Joseph C. Shediack, SSgt, USAF

 "To Liz and all that have made this possible, Thank you for the generous donation of the wonderful Starbucks coffees.  It’s created quite a “buzz” around here (pun intended) and I know folks are working on some silly pictures to send back to you for your photo gallery.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy the coffee!" ~ Pat

 "Greetings from Kirkuk Iraq, I wanted to thank you for the support as we just received the coffee and very much appreciate it.  We are working on pictures to send back.  Again, thanks so very much, a good cup of coffee in the morning means a lot."
~ MSgt Troy Taylor, USAF

 "I absolutely love and dearly miss Starbucks coffee! It would mean so much for all of us "hard-core coffee drinkers" to have the simple luxury of Starbucks coffee and not just in the morning either, for many of us work long, late hours. I'm also a DJ and have my own radio show. The DJ name I go by is Dixie Rose! This would also be a wonderful holiday treat for all!"   ~ Respectfully, Dixie Rose, KFOR 10 MTN TF (E)

 "We appreciate all the support that we receive from Starbucks and everyone back in the U.S. The support we receive from you guys will make the days and weeks a lot more enjoyable. We appreciate all the support that we receive from Starbucks and everyone back in the U.S. The support we receive from you guys will make the days and weeks a lot more enjoyable."  ~Thank you, Ssgt Lambert, 755 EOD

 "This little taste of home not only helps to keep us awake and alert to better serve but it also reminds us of all our supporters back home! Thanks for you incredible donation!" ~ Lt J Cornell, 451 AEG/CCE

 "There is no other coffee better than Starbucks.  The PX use to have it but no longer does.  Please Starbucks help..."
~ Sgt Keene, TF RLMT TM 5

 "I just received your latest care package and the timing was perfect!  We've had two special Operation Caffeination's over the last few days.  First, a Christmas Open House for the hospital which we ran all day and night providing coffee and Christmas stockings to everyone.  Second, a special Coffee Break for our Wire Medics (those inside the detainee compounds) who normally aren't able to join us.  Thanks for making the holiday season extra special for us.  Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Blessings!"
~THOMAS B. VAUGHN, JR., CH (MAJ) USA, Task Force 115 Medical

"Ma'am, the coffee arrived!  Thank you thank you thank you.  This was the one thing we talked about so much.  We would pretend we were making our morning order and everyone would tell what they were drinking while drinking the g.i. mudd.  NOW we feel like we have the real deal even if we can't mke the specialty drinks out here,  Thanks for giving us a great taste of home, and we are all really happy to know that Starbucks does support us!" *One happy troop - Starbucks in hand

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Coffee is a must for most people around here, and the crappy stuff we normally get is appreciated but when friends send starbucks it brightens everyones day! We have an espresso machine too, i've learned how to make latte's and cappicino's so I might be everyone's favorite so syrups are appreciated too! Thank you oh so much, your acts of kindness have not gone unnoticed! God Bless." *Sather AB Chapel 447 AEG/HC

"OUR FIGHTER SQUADRON HAS BEEN LIVING ON YOUR QUALITY FRENCH ROAST BRAND COFFEE BACK AT OUR HOME STATION SINCE I CAN REMEMBER.  WELL IN AFGHANISTAN, ITS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO STAY SUPPLIED WITH QUALITY COFFEE. AS A SQUADRON, WE WOULD BE MORE THAN GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER AMOUNT OF COFFEE YOU CAN SUPPLY US WITH. AS WE LIKE TO SAY..."YOU CAN'T FIGHT A WAR WITHOUT COFFEE." "*455 EOG / 391 EFS

"While deployed in Iraq just the little thought of enjoying a cup of Starbucks coffee has everyone closing their eyes and imagining the taste in the mornings now that the weather is getting colder! A small piece of heaven to start all our days right! Thanks so much!" ~ TSgt Matthew A... 447 AEG/ESFS/FP Escorts  

"There (are) two things on my mind first thing in the morning A) a good cup of sumatra & B) Did we get em'?  ~ USS Carter-Hall

"I have always loved this company and now I have one more reason!!! Thanks for supporting our efforts!" ~ 715 MP CO

"To know that Starbucks has not forgotten about us is the greatest." ~ HHC 167 AR

"Thank you for your support.  We are definitely big coffee fans especially since we are up for 20-24 hours and shipboard coffee is just not cutting it anymore.  Ever tried to drink coffee that it streated with Bromine and cooks for 8 hours?  It really isn't that good.  Thank you."  ~ R Div USS Mason (DDG87)

"Your coffee makes a world of difference to our deployed military members each and every day.  Thank you and God Bless"  ~447 AEG/HC

"Thanks for your support!  Every morning our clinic (PT/OT) makes a fresh pot of coffee for other folks in the hospital.  Our supply is limited and we would love to have some Starbucks."  ~ TF 115 MED/Camp Bucca

"Thanks for the support!  It means the world." ~ 521 AEAS

 "I can live without many creature comforts here on deployment, but Starbucks is one I cannot do without!"  ~ FOB Warrior

"There are few things that make me smile in the morning while I'm out here, but knowing that cup of Starbucks has my name on it probably spares the hurt feelings of all around me.  So thanks from me personally, and everybody I don't snap at.  Please don't ever stop this program while we're here." ~ 555 Engineers" 

Don't believe the rumors - Get the facts!  When in doubt, we recommend: www.Snopes.com or ...

Rumor Response: Misinformation About Starbucks and the United States Military
Starbucks Apologizes for Water Flap
Starbucks, Red Cross 'Bring a Bit of Home' to Overseas Troop

Starbucks, Red Cross 'Bring a Bit of Home' to Overseas Troops By Gerry J. Gilmore American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2004 – The coffee giant Starbucks and the American Red Cross are teaming up to deliver hot java to U.S. servicemembers serving overseas in the war against global terrorism. Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Jim Donald said during a Capitol Hill press conference today in the office of U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks that his company would provide 50,000 pounds of free, whole-bean coffee that will be brewed and distributed by Red Cross workers to troops serving in Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. "It's important that we show the support and we have shown support -- for our troops overseas," Donald explained. In fact, he said, Starbucks, headquartered in Seattle, has 80 employees in the military now deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And many of Starbuck's 85,000 employees, Donald pointed out, have friends and family members serving overseas in the military. Starbuck's partnership with the Red Cross, he noted, "is just a way of reaching into the community and supporting troops from all over the U.S." Starbucks will ship the coffee to overseas locations as directed by the Red Cross, noted Alan McCurry, chief operating officer for the American Red Cross. "We will make coffee and distribute it," McCurry explained, noting that the Red Cross will also ensure that forward-deployed ground troops will get their share. The Starbucks-Red Cross coffee distribution partnership will boost military morale, McCurry predicted, while bringing "a little bit of home to the troops." McCurry estimated that coffee shipment to overseas troops should begin in about three or four weeks, in time for the holiday season. Dicks, who represents Washington state's 6th District, said many employees at Starbucks stores across the country had already been sending "care packages" of free coffee to U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. According to Starbucks officials, local company representatives recently donated 10 gallons of freshly brewed coffee and pastries to support a family support group event held at Fort Sheridan, Ill., near Chicago. Other Starbucks employees from 90 stores in the northeastern United States, including New Jersey and Philadelphia, donated their free weekly coffee allotment totaling 2,000 pounds to U.S. servicemembers serving overseas. Federal Express shipped the coffee for free to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where it was then distributed to troops in the Balkans and the Middle East. And the daughter of a Starbuck's store manager in Newark, N.J., who was corresponding with reservists from Morristown serving in Iraq, played a role in ensuring they received free Starbucks coffee. The soldiers forwarded a letter of thanks, noting the coffee reminded them of home. At a recent meeting featuring representatives from about 100 Starbucks stores in northern Ohio and Michigan, store managers and partners collected more than 500 pounds of coffee that was then shipped to American soldiers in Iraq. In Texas, the Rangers baseball team and north Texas Starbucks stores recently teamed up to send coffee and Rangers' teddy bears to troops serving in Iraq. A Starbucks customer with a son serving with a Maryland National Guard unit in Iraq complimented Starbucks stores in Arlington, Va., for donating free coffee to troops serving in Iraq, noting the company "is doing a great job supporting our (military) men and women." Now Starbucks' corporate headquarters in Seattle wants to "do something of significance" to support the troops, Dicks noted. Washington State, Dicks pointed out, is home to several military facilities, including Fort Lewis, where U.S. Army soldiers train with the transformational Stryker vehicle. The congressman said he appreciates the difficult work performed by U.S. servicemembers deployed overseas in the war against global terrorism, noting they "are doing a great job for our country." "We hope that having these 50,000 pounds of coffee will make life a little better" for deployed servicemembers, the congressman remarked, noting that he wishes them success in their missions and that they safely return home to their families.