September Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Shirt Club: Supporting the Charlotte Firefighters

Charlotte is buzzing.

It’s one of the South’s fastest-growing cities, a booming metropolis with a growing population and a youthful, energetic vibe that you can feel the moment you arrive.

The 1,100 men and women who make up the Charlotte Fire Department have one job — “Protecting Our Hive” — and this month Fire Department Coffee is proud to honor and support them. Funds raised in September through sales and subscriptions to our Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club will benefit the Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation.

For every purchase through the Fire Dept. Coffee Club, $2 will go directly to the foundation, while each Fire Dept. Shirt Club purchase contributes $5. These funds are critical in providing financial aid to sick or injured firefighters, supporting mental health initiatives, and ensuring that Charlotte’s firefighters and their families receive the help they need when facing life’s toughest challenges.

It’s a partnership that we believe will make a real difference in the lives of those who dedicate themselves to protecting their community.

A Foundation Built on Compassion and Commitment

The Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation has been a lifeline for many firefighters in the Charlotte Metro Area.

Recently, the foundation stepped up to support a firefighter whose police officer wife was tragically killed in the line of duty. The foundation also extends its support in various other ways, such as assisting firefighters dealing with significant medical issues or other serious challenges.

Every challenge is different, and the foundation is prepared to provide support in whatever ways are most needed. This might include financial aid for medical bills, travel expenses for treatments, or even everyday needs like meals and lodging.

But their work goes beyond financial support.

The foundation also plays a crucial role in supporting mental health initiatives, including the use of therapy dogs that visit fire stations, offering comfort and companionship to those who need it most.

“The biggest thing is helping sick and injured firefighters in the Charlotte Metro Area,” said Battalion Chief John Lipcsak. “They can request money from the foundation when they’re experiencing a significant challenge, and we’ll work with them to meet their needs.”

In a profession where mental health is just as critical as physical well-being, the foundation’s mental health support dogs have become invaluable. Their names are Asher, Cat, Captain, Higbee, and Phoenix. They’ve been called the unsung heroes of the department.

Along with their handlers and trained counselors, the dogs visit fire stations across the city. Often, they are deployed in the aftermath of traumatic calls. The dogs have a way of sensing when they’re needed, and their presence is felt deeply.

“They’re trained to be companions. They feel the presence of that need,” Lipcsak said. “They’ll come right up and sit in your lap. They know when you need them.”

In addition to supporting sick or injured firefighters, the foundation also runs regular camps for high school-aged boys and girls who are interested in the fire service. For a week, they live and train as firefighters, getting a glimpse of what it will take to pursue a career in the fire service.

At a recent camp, one young girl expressed her goal to become a first responder. The seed was first planted when she learned that members of the Charlotte Fire Department had successfully performed CPR on her mother while she was pregnant with her. Without that intervention, she may not be here today — and now she’s learning about what it will take to pay it forward.

Fired Up for a Perfect Partnership in September

At Fire Department Coffee, we are incredibly proud to collaborate with the Charlotte Fire Department and the Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation. September is the perfect month.

In recent years, we’ve made an annual trek to Charlotte for the NHRA Carolina Nationals. As the official coffee of the NHRA, we travel to many races, and Charlotte is always one of our favorites.

This year, it’s a great opportunity to promote the coffee and shirt club collaborations.

September’s Fire Dept. Coffee Club Roast is a blend of Ugandan and Mexican coffee with delicious notes of milk chocolate, orange, and honey coming together to create a truly unforgettable flavor.

The design on the bag matches the design on this month’s Fire Dept. Shirt Club selection. It’s equally unforgettable. It features a firefighter hornet, standing in front of a shield that reveals the Charlotte skyline. Lettering beneath reads “Protecting Our Hive Since 1875.”

Kevin Campbell, Public Information and Community Engagement specialist, says the connection really goes back to the Revolutionary War. British soldiers fighting in the Carolinas discovered that the Americans were coming at them from all sides. One British commander reported that it was “like going into a hornet’s nest.”

That’s become a point of pride for the city. Now more than ever, the city center is a hive of activity. The Charlotte Fire Department is proud to protect their hive — and to take care of each other.

And we’re proud to support them.

By joining the Fire Dept. Coffee Club and Fire Dept. Shirt Club, you’re not just treating yourself to exceptional coffee and gear. You’re standing with Charlotte’s firefighters and supporting a cause that truly makes a difference.