TLC raises money with Jumpy Monkey Coffee

By Thomas Nelson, tnelson@charlescitypress.com

Buying coffee can help young children learn to read.

The Learning Center is partnering with Jumpy Monkey Coffee so purchases will send funds to the child care center and preschool.

The flavors of Lewis and Clark, Sergeant Floyd’s French Roast, Building Block Blend, Cinnamon Sticky Bun and French Vanilla will put money back into TLC to be used to purchase Scholastic reading material for the early learner room at the center.

“We actually got a phone call from Gabby Weber, who is a Charles City High School graduate,” said Pam Ost, TLC director. “We were the first business in Charles City that she, as the marketing director for Jumpy Monkey, reached out to do a fundraiser.”

Weber graduated from Charles City High School in 2013 and got involved with Jumpy Monkey after moving to Sioux City last April.

“The job kind of just fell into my lap,” Weber said. “They told me I’d get unlimited coffee.”

One of the coffee blends that TLC and Jumpy Monkey are selling is called the Building Block Blend.

“That has our logo and they made a medium roast blend for us,” Ost said.

Jumpy Monkey works with a variety of  organizations to help fundraise.

“It’s a really awesome company to work for,” Weber said. “We’ve been around since 2003, but we offer this really awesome fundraising program.”

“We work a lot with bands and choirs in the area,” Weber said. “We’ve done PTAs, sporting teams, dance teams, church youth groups, anybody that’s looking to raise funds.”

The Scholastic reading project that the coffee is funding for TLC helps the children explore words, experiences, art, math and science, Ost said.

“It is specific to children (ages) 2, 3, 4 and above,” Ost said. “It gives us an opportunity to share new skill sets with the children in written form.”

The reading materials also provide pictures and activities the children can use at home.

People can go on TLC’s Facebook page to order the coffee, orders can also be placed at the center’s front desk or via email to sue.mcdonald@charlescitytlc.com.

“They can see the different coffees that we’re offering and the prices involved,” Ost said. “They’re carrying the whole bean and ground coffee.”

TLC will get 40 to 50 percent of each sale depending on whether someone gets the beans or the grounds.

“For a fundraiser, it’s a good percentage of the sale that will come back to TLC,” Ost said.

TLC has received calls from as far away as Wisconsin and Nashville, Tennessee.

“From different families that have had children at TLC, don’t anymore, but are calling in because they know how important it is that TLC is supported by even small fundraisers,” Ost said. “It makes a difference in the children’s lives.”

According to its website, jumpymonkey.com, Jumpy Monkey Coffee was founded to provide “meaningful and purposeful employment to individuals with disabilities.”

“The people we serve are involved in every aspect of the coffee creation process from packaging, marketing, sales, and delivery.

“Over the years, we have developed an extremely loyal customer base because not only is our coffee excellent, but our mission touches hearts and improves the lives of individuals in our communities in a way no other coffee company has ever dreamed,” the website says.