Spark Hope with Starbucks and UNICEF!

By Hilda Monica C. Naval

Shooting two birds with one stone. It is indeed a wonderful experience to get more than what you have intentioned to give.
           
Starbucks together with UNICEF started on the SparkHope project, a community-based program which aims to adopt impoverished communities and provide early education for children ages six years and below in those localities.
           
To guarantee the sustainability of the project, Starbucks has allotted a part of its sales for the SparkHope funding. One of which is the Starbucks Christmas Traditions 2005 planner. For each purchase of coffee, customers earn stamps on their specially-marked cards given by Starbucks. Upon meeting the quota, customers get a free planner and they give UNICEF a P50 donation on their behalf. Aside from that, Starbucks has also turned over the sales of the "Marshmallow Mocha Mondays" (which happens from February to March), as well as that of Ensaymada and Ham and Cheese Croissant, to the project. Now that is what we call an ingenious way of marketing and raising funds.   
           
Since November 2004, Starbucks has been supporting numerous communities. In addition to that according to UNICEF, the SparkHope project alone has already raised about P1.7 million which has helped not only the foundation's childhood care programs, but also has offered help for the December tsunami victims.
           
So whenever you take pleasure in your cup of coffee, remember that it is not only you who will benefit from the delight you have at present. Expect that soon, many children would be blessed by the story books, new toys, school supplies, and many non-material benefits. Give them this chance of enjoying their childhood while you can.