Early Risers Take Advantage of Free Coffee and Pastries
Ernest Sanders
Published: March 15, 2010
GADC consultant, Cheryl Johnson (L), encourages a gentleman standing at a CTA Bus stop to partake in the free coffee offering hosted by GADC.
Ernest Sanders
Unlike the blistery and cold weather that accompanied The Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation's (GADC) November offering of free coffee, apple cider, and pastries, the March offering brought spring-like weather to this Free Coffee day.
It was 40 degrees on one of Auburn Gresham's main thoroughfares -79th Street.
GADC's Aurora Cruz (L) advertises the free coffee and pastries to CTA bus riders, while GADC's Linda Johnson advertises Aurora Cruz's free coffee and pastries.
Ernest Sanders
GADC staff members (decorated with fashionable poster boards) strategically positioned themselves at the intersection of 79th & Racine with warm hearts and smiles.
One person passing by on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) bus said, "It's great to see businesses giving back to the community. This has really made my day. Thank you!"
A high school student walking to school asked for a cup of hot apple cider and a few pastries to complete her travel to school and said, "Thank you." Carlos Nelson, executive director for GADC feels that the feeling of thanks and gratitude is mutual.
He says, " the Free Coffee days with hot Apple Cider and pastries is a community building, civic engagement effort which builds local pride." He goes on to say, " Our residents deserve to know that there are organizations like GADC who want to show their appreciation and gratitude to those who enable our organization to excel and simultaneously build up Auburn Gresham as a sustainable community."
GADC's Hubert Newkirk (R) prepares a few cups of coffee to a bicyclist messenger and two other residents passing by on their way to work.
Ernest Sanders
Nelson also reiterated his previous comment from the November free coffee day by referencing the Auburn Gresham's Quality of Life Plan. He explained that we've done free coffee days sporadically over the years, and this type of venue really helps us to get the word about things going on in this community and further develop businesses on 79th Street while encouraging pedestrian and transit friendly commercial corridors."
At the end of the event, GADC staff members had distributed nearly 150 cups of coffee and apple cider and about 5 pounds of delicious pastries.
Check our website for the next FREE COFFEE DAY!