Patriot Day: Uncommon Grounds support local emergency responders

Cynthia Boehler, owner of Uncommon Grounds coffee stop in Plains, said she wanted to recognize Sanders County’s emergency responders and what they do for the community, and what better day than on Patriot Day.

Not only did the free coffee for responders fall on Patriot Day it also fell on the 17-year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that occurred in New York City.

The attacks caused the deaths of 2,996 people and the injuries of more than 6,000 others. The death toll included 265 on the four planes (from which there were no survivors), 2,606 in the World Trade Center and in the surrounding area, and 125 at the Pentagon. Nearly all of those who perished were civilians with the exceptions of 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, 55 military personnel, and the 19 terrorists who died in the attacks.

“We see our first responders put their lives on the line close to every day. This is just a small way of saying how much we appreciate their selfless efforts,” said Boehler. “We can never fully appreciate all they do to keep us safe, keep our community safe every single day.”

BOEHLER SAID that during business hours last Tuesday she would offer a free coffee to those responders that turned up, and also had a special tip jar into which anyone could throw some change.

“We have a lot of volunteer services that link directly to our first responders — so the money raised in the jar will be donated to one of the volunteer services we have,” Boehler said.

The day raised some cash that would help one of the local services, and Boehler drew a name out of a hat from those who donated to the special tip jar. She said she was happy to donate the funds to Sanders County Search and Rescue.

“We have all been touched in some way from an emergency responder, and we wanted to do something nice for them so they new how important they are to this community,” said Boehler.