In honor of May’s Military Appreciation Month, 84 Lumber is currently running its seventh annual Operation Appreciation campaign, celebrating and recognizing our nation’s heroes. The company is honoring our country’s heroes all month long through a variety of giveaways, sponsorships, donations, and more.
On social media, 84 Lumber is featuring an assortment of the military- and Veteran-owned companies throughout the month. Following the features, 84 Lumber will be hosting a giveaway on social media, where one lucky social media fan will receive an assortment of goods purchased from each Veteran-owned company. Learn more about the mission and founders of each Veteran-Owned small business below!
R.Riveter
Unable to find meaningful employment, military spouses, Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, founded R.Riveter as a means to create flexible and mobile income that traveled along when both women relocated with their military members. Today, R.Riveter is a network of military spouses, known as Riveters, scattered across the country. With each spouse doing their part to assemble the product, the mission is accomplished through the hands of each worker.
RUMI Spice
Rumi’s founders were a team of military veterans who served in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. They developed strong Afghan networks and an on-the-ground understanding of how business is conducted. With this knowledge, they built the critical relationships, partnerships, and organizational infrastructure necessary to operate within and out of Afghanistan. “Our competitive advantage is our ability to navigate the Afghan business landscape, which is built on trusted relationships.”
Alpha Coffee
On Sept. 11, 2010, Alpha Coffee was co-founded by LTC(R) Carl Churchill, a combat veteran with 21 years of service as both an enlisted soldier and officer, and his wife Lori Churchill, a military spouse and coffee lover.
“After Carl's retirement following 21 years of service, with Lori at his side, they sat down together over a cup of coffee, as they had so many times before, and discussed their future. Together they discussed their passion for great coffee, their strong commitment to a warrior lifestyle, and their unwavering support for the military community. Alpha Coffee was born out of this passion, commitment, and drive to give back.”
With every purchase of Alpha Coffee, they donate over 10% of their proceeds to support veterans, the planet, and the community. They also honor all those who have served in the military with a special 10% veteran and first responder discount on all coffee and cocoa products.
Rakkasan Tea Company
“Rakkasan is the old Japanese word for parachutist. It's also the nickname of a unit in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division. In Iraq and Afghanistan, co-founders Brandon Friedman and Terrence Kamauf led Rakkasans in combat, often taking time to drink tea provided by locals.”
Their experience led to a business idea that would help the economies of war-torn areas. That idea was to launch Rakkasan Tea Company. Unlike most premium tea bought and sold in the U.S., Rakkasan Tea imports solely from carefully selected estates in post-conflict countries as a way to promote peace and economic growth. Rakkasan Tea also gives a portion of its proceeds to organizations that help combat veterans.
Cranky Veteran Candle
In 2014, Ryan Bruin retired from the U.S. Army. The transition from soldier to civilian is hard for many, and that was true for Ryan. Because of his PTSD, it was important Brian found a solution that allowed him to work with his hands as an outlet for his symptoms. Today, Cranky Veteran Candle is run by Ryan and his wife, Deb Bruin.
“Our military service members are regularly exposed to a variety of dangerous and toxic chemicals that pollute the air they breathe - burn pits, for example. We know that the fumes and toxins coming from burn pits is resulting in significant lung damage - our founder, Ryan, is one of those service members. We focus on crafting quality, non-toxic soy candles because we believe that the products you use in your home should be truly safe for your entire family.”
Mutt’s Sauce
Charlie “Mutt” Ferrell, Jr. earned his nickname Mutt from his ability to blend in anywhere. Mutt joined the U.S. Air Force at the age of 18, and served faithfully from July 19, 1951, until February 16, 1972.
“In 1956, Mutt got the idea to make a sauce he could use for every meal. When Mutt deployed with the U.S. Air Force in support of Vietnam and the Korean War, he packed up his wife, kids, and of course the sauce, and headed over to Japan. While in Japan, Mutt would host parties and his sauce was always the highlight. The laughter, food, and friendship was always successful at breaking down any cultural or language barriers.”
Before his death in 2005, Mutt never turned his sauce into a company. Mutt was the only one who knew every detail of his complicated recipe. Lo and behold, Mutt had left the recipe to his granddaughter, Charlynda Scales, who was serving in the United States Air Force- just like him. “With no instructions, she decided to have it bottled, with his name and face...and share it with you.”
For more information on 84 Lumber’s Veteran-Owned Giveaway, please visit 84 Lumber’s social media here. And to learn more about this month’s Operation Appreciation campaign, visit: https://www.84lumber.com/about/press-room/84-press-releases/operation-appreciation-2022/.