The founders committee for JavaJog for a Cause, an annual event that raises money and awareness for women in coffee producing communities, announces that no official run will be held in 2016 in Atlanta, but has recommitted to holding the popular event again in 2017 in Seattle. Traditionally held in conjunction with the SCAA Annual Conference and Exhibition, JavaJog has raised more than $65,000 for women in coffee growing communities since it’s inception in 2013.

Citing the increased logistics and cost of running the event in Atlanta, where the SCAA will hold its annual conference and exhibition in 2016, JavaJog organizers have made the decision to postpone the event until 2017, when the SCAA returns to Seattle.

“We remain committed to raising awareness and money for women in coffee growing communities throughout the world. By holding off this year, and returning to Seattle in 2017, where the logistics to run and promote the race are already in place, and the costs associated with producing the event are less, we can ensure the beneficiaries of the race will receive maximum support,” explains Kimberly Easson, co founder of JavaJog for a Cause.

The JavaJog organizing committee remains committed to producing another great fun run and fundraiser when the SCAA returns to Seattle in 2017. “By focusing our efforts on making the 2017 and 2018 runs in Seattle bigger and better, we are confident that our mission to connect women to the coffee community and funnel resources to projects that enable them to improve their position, their well-being and that of their families, farms, communities and organizations, will be met,” Easson added.

Established early in 2013 by Kimberly Easson, Beth Ann Caspersen, and Aimee Russillo. The Founders’ Run was held in Boston with 15 runners and raised $7500, which was donated to the women’s committee of the Sopacdi farmer’s cooperative in South Kivu, DRC. JavaJog 2014 raised more than $35,000 for coffee-farming women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The $23,000 raised in the 2015 JavaJog for a Cause has been awarded to two organizations working to better the lives of women in coffee growing communities in Ethiopia: Grounds for Health in partnership with Sidamo Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union, and the Girls Gotta Run Foundation.

“We want to thank all the runners, supporters and sponsors who have participated in JavaJog since its inception. With your support, women around the world have benefited from this great fundraiser,” said Easson.

To learn more about the cause, visit JavaJog for a Cause. For more information about the race, or sponsorship opportunities, please email javajog@gmail.com

JavaJog for a Cause organizers welcome 2015 sponsors for the third annual run in Seattle to benefit coffee women in Ethiopia. Starbucks and Metad Plc have signed on as Gold sponsors for the event, with Equal Exchange, Baratza, Spark Technologies and Schluter providing Silver level support, and Equator Coffees & Teas as Bronze level support. Roast Magazine is our Media Sponsor. JavaJog 2015 will be held April 10, starting in Seattle’s South Lake Union Park.

“We are grateful to all our sponsors for this year’s race, says Kimberly Easson, co-founder of the event, which was launched in early 2013 by Easson, Beth Ann Caspersen, and Aimee Russillo, as a way to bring together fun and fitness in the coffee community – all to benefit a great cause. “With their generous support, we are able to bring the race to Seattle, and help us reach our goal of $40,000. JavaJog is still welcoming additional sponsors and runners for the event,” she adds. Last years event brought together more than 200 runners and walkers who raised more than $35,000 for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The support from our sponsors, Starbucks, Metad, Equal Exchange, Baratza, Schluter, Spark Technologies, Equator and Roast Magazine will go a long way in helping us raise awareness and funds for women in coffee farming communities in Ethiopia,” explains Easson.

The goal for the Seattle 2015 JavaJog is 300 runners and $40,000 raised for women in coffee farming communities in Ethiopia. “While a much larger goal than last year, we wanted to set a goal that would allow us to raise more money for the cause,” explains Easson. “There are many great organizations doing work in Ethiopia including Grounds for Health, Girls Gotta Run, IWCA Ethiopia, Common River, and Amaro Gayo. And, by raising more money, we can invest in activities across the region working together with local community based organizations. There is no doubt that the need is great, and if we can strengthen our impact through sponsorships and a goal of 300 runners, $40K seemed like a realistic number.”

JavaJog’s ‘Founders Run’ was held in Boston, April 12, 2013. Fifteen runners participated, raising $7500, which was donated to the women’s committee of the Sopacdi farmer’s cooperative in South Kivu, DRC.

For more information about our sponsors, visit Starbucks, Metad Plc, Equal Exchange, Baratza, Spark Coffee Technologies, Schluter, Equator and Roast Magazine websites.
To sign up for this year’s run, or to support the cause, visit the JavaJog Crowdrise site. For more information about the cause, visit JavaJog.org.
For more information about the race or sponsorship opportunities, contact javajog@gmail.com or 202-657-5788.

(January 26, 2105) – JavaJog for a Cause, an annual event that raises money and awareness for women in coffee producing communities, is scheduled to be held April 10, 2015 in Seattle in conjunction with the annual EXPO of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). This year’s event, the third race, will benefit women of Ethiopian coffee producing communities, and will provide individuals, teams and corporations the opportunity to contribute to improve livelihoods of women within these communities.

“We chose to focus on Ethiopian women this year to tie to the SCAA’s Portrait Country promotion. Ethiopian coffee is among the most sought-after coffees in the world – and although women play a central role in assuring its quality, especially on the farms and at the processing centers, they remain very much behind the scenes. Political turmoil, an influx of refugees and high rates of poverty have affected many Ethiopians and women bear the brunt; they suffer from high rates of genital mutilation, lack of education and domestic violence – many live without access to clean drinking water or medical facilities.” explained Beth Ann Caspersen, one of JavaJog’s founders.

JavaJog 2015 will build off momentum from the 2014 run, which raised more than $35,000 for the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal of the 2015 event is to welcome more than 300 runners and walkers, who will raise money for the cause individually or as a team, helping reach the goal of $45,000.

Funds raised will be invested in organizations that work locally to address issues facing Ethiopian women in a variety of areas: among them, health, productivity, training, leadership and advocacy. JavaJog organizers are working with coffee partners on the ground in Ethiopia, targeting potential recipients for this year’s funds. Key groups will be invited to submit proposals, which will be reviewed by an independent committee. Reports of the use of the funds will be given to JavaJog and be made public on the JavaJog website.

Sponsorship of JavaJog 2015 provides companies with a unique opportunity to lead the charge in raising money for the Ethiopian women communities while promoting their brands in one of the newest, most exciting coffee events. Sponsorship levels include: Platinum ($5,000); Gold ($2,500); Silver ($1,00); and Product Sponsors.

Java Jog for a Cause was established early in 2013 by Kimberly Easson, Beth Ann Caspersen, Aimee Russillo. The Founders’ Run was held in Boston with 15 runners and raised $7500, which was donated to the women’s committee of the Sopacdi farmer’s cooperative in South Kivu, DRC. JavaJog 2014 benefitted coffee-farming women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To sign up for this year’s run, or to support the cause, visit the JavaJog Crowdrise site. To learn more about the cause, visit JavaJog.org.

For more information about the race, or sponsorship opportunities, please email javajog@gmail.com.

JavaJog Benefitting Women of the DRC

August 24, 2014 – JavaJog for a Cause, an annual event that raises money and awareness for women in coffee producing communities, announces its 2014 Grant Recipients. A total of $35,000 has been allocated to three organizations working in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The DRC Chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, The Eastern Congo Initiative, and Virunga Coffee.

Nearly 200 runners came together this past April for the 2nd Annual JavaJog 5K/10K Race in Seattle, raising more than $35,000 in funds for coffee women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Another smaller race held in conjunction with the annual SCAE conference raised an additional $300 for the cause. The awards were allocated through a rigorous 2-part evaluation process. In late June, the JavaJog Grant Review Committee evaluated proposals. The Committee’s recommendations were then provided to the JavaJog Advisory Committee for final approval and awarding of the grants.

JavaJog for a Cause 2014 grant recipients include:

The Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), which will receive $11,500 for Small Business Development for Congolese Cooperatives. The eastern region of Democratic Republic of Congo has enormous potential to produce specialty coffee. Today, with peace and a bright economic outlook, Congolese coffee farmers are driven to increase the quality of their production to provide the international marketplace with specialty Congolese coffee. ECI and the Kahawa Bora Ya Kivu (Fine Coffee of Kivu) coffee project work with three cooperatives, investing in business development throughout the entire value chain. Through JavaJog’s grant, 30 cooperative members will have the chance to travel to successful cooperatives in East Africa, learning from different business models, which can be applicable in DRC, forming strong businesses that can reliably provide quality coffee.

The DRC chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance will receive $20,000 to support 750 women coffee growers of Lubarika and Ndolera village, and Uvira Territory who struggle daily to establish their rights and position within society. The grant money will be used to purchase equipment and provide infrastructure support for processing and packaging of coffee, which will help the women further meet their goal of establishing their rights and position within society through economic empowerment.

Virunga Coffee Company will receive $3,500 for efforts to improve working conditions for women, specifically supporting the improvement of conditions for the women who sort coffee by hand. Typically, throughout most African countries, thousands of tons of coffee beans are hand sorted by women working for a few dollars per day, often in very basic working conditions. Through this grant, Virunga Coffee will make initial investments in the infrastructure, and provide these women in the DRC with a higher salary, a free lunch, and better the working environment which will include new tables, stools and good lighting.

JavaJog 2014 was made possible through a network of volunteers as well as many generous sponsors. Platinum Sponsor for JavaJog 2014 was Westrock Coffee Company, which provides global export opportunities and purposeful employment to partners at origin. Equal Exchange, Baratza and Equator Coffees & Teas provided Bronze Level support, and Roast Magazine served as the Media Sponsor. A number of product sponsors, included Theo Chocolate, Bonavita, Espro and SCAA. Coffee served at the event was from Caffe Vita and Herkimer Coffee.

Plans are underway for the 3rd Annual Race to take place in Seattle, April 10th.
To learn more about the cause, visit JavaJog for a Cause. For more information about the race, or sponsorship opportunities, please email javajog@gmail.com