Giving Back One Drink at a Time: Diedrich Espresso’s Jasmine Wilson
Editor’s note: the following story is about one of our Live in Everett Members. Our awesome Members help power Live in Everett. You can learn more about them here.
I’m always impressed with young people who understand the value of building community and choose to spend their time volunteering.
Jasmine Wilson owns Diedrich Espresso. I’ve heard Jasmine’s name pop up here and there in the community work I do and recently even got a chance to briefly meet her at a virtual coffee hour with ChildStrive, a favorite organization for the both of us. Jasmine is in her 20s and I didn’t start doing my community work until I was well into my 30s so I’ve had this curiosity about her and jumped at the chance to learn more.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer kick off a few years ago. Jasmine, Tracy Chambers and Marty Palecki. Marty founded the board and sadly they lost her to cancer. Though it wasn’t breast cancer, the board Strides team walks in honor of her // Courtesy of Jasmine Wilson
Jasmine started her coffee stand empire at age 19 and has built up a robust business with coffee stands in Island, Skagit and Snohomish Counties. Her success has allowed her to hire a general manager to deal with much of the day-to-day demands of the business and this allows her to do what she calls the “important” work of volunteering. She sees it as part of her job now.
She told me she learned about volunteering from her stay-at-home mom who was always volunteering in the community including at Jasmine’s school and she also helped start the Snohomish Farmers market. Jasmine has followed in her mom’s footsteps, though Jasmine tells me their passions are different.
Jasmine Wilson with her “can-do” attitude!
Her path to volunteering started when she began joining the chambers of commerce organizations in areas where her coffee stands were located and really took off when she joined Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC). These organizations help promote and provide resources for business owners, but more importantly, they act as a network for business owners. Jasmine dove headfirst into the network.
Jasmine has now been with EASC for 6 years. She volunteered for 3 years on the leadership team until she termed out and she is currently in her 5th year as an EASC Ambassador. She is meeting people and expanding her network.
It was through EASC that she made her first connection with The American Cancer Society (ACS), an organization near and dear to her apparent big heart, because none of her friends or family have been personally touched by cancer. She was asked to help out on a project and was hooked.
American Cancer Society board Making Strides Against Breast Cancer team last year - Marty’s Warriors // Courtesy Jasmine Wilson
Jasmine loved working with other volunteers and is now the ACS board chair and head of the Gala Fundraising Committee. She enjoys the fun and comradery, pre-Covid board meetings were often held at restaurants, and support the organization provides to volunteers.
Yum! A signature “pink drink” // Courtesy Jasmine Wilson
Jasmine has found that she can leverage her business to help raise money for organizations by donating register round-ups which her staff is integral in making happen. She also donates a portion of merchandise and special drink purchases. When I asked her why she does it, she said “because most people can’t make big donations, but lots of small donations can make a big difference.”
Yes, they certainly do. Her recent fundraisers have netted $3300 for Sherwood Community Services, an organization that works to provide services and opportunities to children and adults with disabilities. $3600 was donated to Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County and when final totals come in for her October American Cancer Society fundraiser, it will likely be over $10,000.
When I asked Jasmine what’s next for her, she told me that she is always interested in learning about new organizations and finding out what they are about and how she can help. She even said “If no one wants to do the job, I’m happy to do it.” If that isn’t a can-do attitude, I don’t know what is.
Jasmine’s 16th and broadway crew wearing their pink shirts to support the October American Cancer Society fundraiser // Courtesy Jasmine Wilson
We finished our call by talking about how hard fundraising is right now and what will happen if some of our beloved non-profits fail during the pandemic, but I am hopeful that with people like Jasmine and the generous contributions from her customers, we might be alright.
Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.