Starbucks

Relationships with our corporate supporters can take many different shapes and formats. One such relationship is with Starbucks, the coffee shop chain.

While some corporate fundraising relationships take the shape of hosting an event or planning a dinner this one was somewhat different.  Starbucks decided to support the 2008 Light a Light event - St Columba's biggest fundraising event held each year on the first Monday in December.

It seemed like such a simple thing to put some leaflets out on the counters of Edinburgh Starbucks stores and serve some tea and coffee at the event itself but the impact was immense. The leaflets displayed in Starbucks stores brought in hundreds of new donors and the tea and coffee provided a much needed injection of warmth on a cold, and sometimes wet, night.

"A big part of what we do at Starbucks is supporting the communities in which we operate and we're delighted to be working with St. Columbas", said Neill Hunter, Starbucks store manager, Edinburgh.  "Ever since the 2008 Light a Light event our store teams have continued to support the Hospice, demonstrating their passion for helping to make a difference in their local community.  Our partners have a real sense of pride about their work with St. Columbas - it's a very rewarding experience for them and they really enjoy getting involved."

Members of the Starbucks team have supported the Hospice in many ways.  Some have completed the Three Peaks Challenge on behalf of the Hospice, some have volunteered to paint and maintain display boards for another Hospice event, and some have run marathons on our behalf.

"The partnership with Starbucks is one that is close to our hearts," said Mairi Rosko, senior fundraising manager for St Columba's Hospice. "The team really thinks about what we need and how we can work together to further what we do."

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