Military treated to free coffee and a pastry again this year

Erway family to pick up the tab this Fourth for year 4 of giveback program

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Active and retired military members can enjoy a free coffee and a baked good at two Lewiston locations on July 4-5. Joel and Maryjo Erway will again pick up the tab for purchases made at The Orange Cat Coffee Co. and DiCamillo Bakery. This is their fourth annual giveback program.

“My wife and I were just looking for ways to kind of give back and contribute,” Joel said Monday. “The military has always had a special place in our heart – even though we've never served. Neither of us have served. We both have plenty of family members that serve. And so, it just felt right.

“We spend a lot of time getting coffee here, and we spend a lot of time at Orange Cat. And so, that was where we started. We just said, ‘Hey, let's just open it up, and if anybody wants to come over Fourth of July weekend, then we'll pay for their orders.’ And so, it just kind of snowballed from there.”

To say the charitable endeavor has become well known might be an understatement.

“It was funny because, when we did it the second year, I talked to (Orange Cat owner) Michael Broderick and he said that they had repeat visitors from across the country that flew from Vegas to come to this event,” Joel said. “That was wild to hear. Those stories are always really what keep it going – what keeps us motivated to keep doing it.

“After the third year, Michael said that they had a family of like four or five generations come and just sit down, from the great-grandkids all the way up to the great-grandparents, and they were just able to sit down and spend some time and just tell stories.

“It's fun. For us, it's simple to run. It's simple to manage. And it's just a way for us to give back. We feel good doing it. We're happy to do it.”

Matthew DiCamillo said, “DiCamillo Bakery is excited to continue this tradition of supporting the military veterans in our community. It's wonderful to collaborate with other local business owners who share the same compassion for our region.”

Broderick said, “We're grateful to able to express our gratitude to all of the men and women who have served and sacrificed throughout the years. The wonderful Erway family has made this possible for three years now and I can't thank them enough. What Joel started as a simple gesture of appreciation has brought families and military comrades together and really created some meaningful and heartfelt connections.”

Joel said. “It’s fun to see it grow. We’re really excited about this year.”

“We're excited for everyone – anyone who wants to come out,” he added.

Active-duty and retired military members can enjoy one free beverage and one pastry in Lewiston during regular business hours Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, at The Orange Cat Coffee Co. (703 Center St.) or DiCamillo Bakery (535 Center St.). Those participating in the program are encouraged to bring some form of identification, though proof of service is not mandatory.