NJ Marine to Receive First Annual Wounded Warrior Grant

A service-disabled Marine veteran from New Jersey will be receiving a $6,500 grant from a shore-based coffee company. 26-year-old Hunter Alarcon of Morris County, who was became disabled while serving in Iraq, will be receiving the first annual Wounded Warrior Grant this Friday, November 7th, at Rutgers University in New Brunswick during a ceremony.

The award is part of Manalapan-based Olde Glory Coffee Company's partnership with Atlantic Health System, according to company President Abe Dortheimer. Dortheimer, who's a service-disabled Vietnam Veteran, said they donated .50 cents to wounded warrior groups for every pound of coffee Atlantic Health System purchased, which came out to nearly 14,000 pounds.

In doing so, Dortheimer admits that he took a page right out of the Ben & Jerry Ice Cream Company's play book when deciding on a business model for his company. He said while Ben & Jerry donates a portion of its proceeds to environmental causes, he's donating a portion of Olde Glory's proceeds to help wounded warriors.

"I decided, let me make a business model here where I'm going go change a life one cup at a time; and the way we do that is we donate .50 cents a pound for purchases towards the R&DA Military Assistance Program, Wounded Warrior Program."

Dortheimer said the Rutger's Veteran's Affairs Program was charged with selecting the award recipient.

"And they chose this young man who is now a Junior. He's attained at 3.65 average and he plans to go to veterinary school and specialize in service dogs," explained Dortheimer.

The ceremony will be held at Rutgers University Winants Hall at 7 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ at 10 a.m.