Customers wait in line at Daily Grind in Port Angeles on Monday. Daily Grind is one of three coffee shops in Port Angeles offering free drinks to first responders after community donations came in. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Customers wait in line at Daily Grind in Port Angeles on Monday. Daily Grind is one of three coffee shops in Port Angeles offering free drinks to first responders after community donations came in. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

First responders receive free coffee in thanks for storm work

Caffeine fix provided by community donations

PORT ANGELES — First responders who are braving the winter weather to help people are being treated to free coffee at stands around Port Angeles.

Jessica Guthrie began fundraising over the weekend so that the community could show appreciation to first responders, including police, firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers and road crews.

“I admire our police officers and everybody that’s out in this weather responding to accident after accident while most of us are calling into work,” Guthrie said. “They’re working tirelessly.”

Participating coffee shops include Bella Rosa Coffee House, 403 S. Lincoln St.; Higher Grounds Espresso at 802 C St.; and Daily Grind at 1919 E. First St.

Guthrie began accepting donations over the weekend, asking people to donate $1. One person donated $50 and others donated $5.

In total, the effort had raised more than $200 by Monday morning.

She said as the money keeps coming in she would continue to give it to the coffee shops. Those who don’t want to donate directly to her Paypal account can donate directly to the coffee shops, she said.

Shae Bennett, who owns Daily Grind, said she was matching any donations. As of Monday morning $80 was given to Daily Grind, which means first responders could have $160 worth of free coffee.

“I’ll continue to match as the money keeps coming in,” Bennett said.

She said she first learned about the effort by seeing Guthrie’s post about it on Facebook and she decided the Daily Grind should be involved.

Bennett said she appreciates everything first responders are doing to keep people safe during the snowy weather.

“My best friend is a 9-1-1 dispatcher,” she said. “Just hearing from her every day about what’s been happening with the storm … the least we can do is give them coffee.”

She said if money dedicated to first responders is left over after the weather gets better it would still be available for first responders until the fund runs out.

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A tanker truck overturned into Indian Creek west of Port Angeles, according to the State Patrol and the state Department of Transportation. U.S. Highway 101 was closed Friday afternoon at milepost 238 near Herrick Road, and traffic was being diverted to state Highway 112. (Katherine Weatherwax via X)
Highway 101 closed after tanker truck overturns into creek

Port Angeles asks utility customers to conserve water

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her son, Cooper Hansen, 3, as Hansen’s mother, Tracy Hansen, right, looks on during a warm day at Hollywood Beach on the Port Angeles waterfront on Wednesday. The trio were enjoying a sunny summer afternoon next to the water. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Picture perfect

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her… Continue reading

Claim against First Fed alleges $100M fraud

First Fed plans to ‘vigorously defend’ loans

Olympic Medical Center CEO says Medicaid cuts will hit hard

Darryl Wolfe tells board entire state will feel impact

Joseph Wilson, left, and Kevin Streett.
Jefferson PUD names new general manager

Wilson comes with 30 years of experience

Firefighters from Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue oversee a brush fire Wednesday in the area of Baker Farm Road. (Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue)
Woman airlifted to hospital following bicycle crash

U.S. Highway 101 was closed for about 45 minutes… Continue reading

Firefighters put out 5-acre Belgian Fire

The Belgian Fire, a 5-acre wildland fire which claimed two… Continue reading

Navy security exercises set for next week

Naval Magazine Indian Island will conduct harbor security training… Continue reading

Marius Gerber, 13, front, and his sister, Tirza Gerber, 12, both of Zurich, Switzerland, examine information boards after a hike on Tuesday at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge northwest of Sequim. The main trail through the refuge provides access to Dungeness Spit and Dungeness Bay. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Dungeness hike

Marius Gerber, 13, front, and his sister, Tirza Gerber, 12, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County library to host community conversation

Jefferson County will continue its Community Conversations series from… Continue reading

Budget goals discussed at Port Angeles council meeting

Ideas sorted into short- and long-term goals

Chimacum drainage district is reactivated

Next steps are to appoint an interim board, adopt assessment system