Oxford Gets Coffee Fix for a Cause

Most Monday mornings would fall apart without a cup of coffee, so starting Monday, February 1, Oxford coffee drinkers can get a pick me up knowing they’ll be helping local children learn more, too.

Every Monday in February, the local McDonald’s franchises are donating half of all McCafe menu item sales to the Oxford School District Foundation (OSDF), which grants money to district teachers with innovative classroom ideas. Called “McCafe for a Cause,” the fundraiser is one that local McDonald’s owner Betsy Smith heard about and decided to modify.

“A group of Florida operators started this program but partnered with 12 national charities,” said Smith.  “Andrew and I immediately knew that we wanted to start “McCafe for a Cause” in Oxford, but we wanted to choose non-profit groups that we love and groups we see make a positive impact in our own community.”

The fundraiser kicked off in support of the Lafayette County Literacy Council in May of 2015 and has raised more than $10,000 for nine local charities so far.

“Many of the groups we chose are groups we have been involved in or groups we have personally seen do great things in our community.  We purposefully chose groups that need funding and several groups that aren’t as well known that we felt would also benefit by us helping to raise awareness for their cause,” said Smith.

OSDF is celebrating its 30^th anniversary in Oxford.  This year the group hopes to pump as much as $45,000 into Oxford classrooms through the annual Awards for Teacher Innovation.  These grants help pay for science equipment, musical instruments, art installations, reading tools and other educational items that the district couldn’t pay for otherwise.  OSDF President Camie Bianco says having the support of local businesses is vital for the success of the foundation.

“This support helps with funding the grants that provide creative, hands-on learning experiences for the students of the Oxford School District,” said Bianco.

She hopes the Oxford community will rally around this opportunity.

“Make the extra effort to drink Monday coffee and hot chocolate at McDonald’s because by doing so, you will help improve the classrooms of the Oxford School District. The profits earned will go back into OSD classrooms through teacher grants that will enhance student learning.”

Smith says they are thrilled with the fundraiser’s success so far.

“This is one of our very favorite programs and we plan on continuing it for a long time.  Oxford is very fortunate to have such a large number of very active non-profit groups, and we are honored to partner with these groups to help continue the good work they are doing in our community.”

Any local non-profits interested in participating in the future can email the Smiths for more information at oxfordmcdonalds@gmail.com.