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ORANGE PARK – Clay County law enforcement and customers packed Urban Bean Coffee Café to the brim Friday morning for the release of “Sheriff’s Blend” coffee.
The proceeds of the coffee go to the Clay Police Athletic League.
Keith Smith is the Clay County Sheriff’s Office public information officer and executive director of the Clay Police Athletic League program that provides kids football, cheer, baseball and basketball for kids. He said the program was always looking for new ideas and initiatives and the coffee will add to its coffers.
“The root of all that is funding and money,” Smith said. “By doing this, not only do we have Sheriff Daniels’ full support, but we’re looking for avenues to get financial backing that we can do more programs and scholarships for the kids and spread the wealth.”
Sheriff Darryl Daniels said community engagement gives residents the opportunity to meet deputies and discuss issues. He said people are less apt to feel unsafe when they have positive interactions with law enforcement. That’s why the department unveiled the coffee at one of its popular “Coffee With a Cop” events, this one at Urban Bean.
“When I became the sheriff, I wanted to make sure we did all we could to engage the community,” Daniels said.
He said Clay PAL was a worthwhile cause and it was more than recreation for the kids.
“It helps our children in Clay County stay out of trouble, gives them some life skills that transfer into adulthood and keeps them out of the hands of law enforcement in a negative way,” Daniels said.
Daniels approached Urban Bean Coffee owners Duwayne and Pam Hegel about creating the blend earlier this year. They said the “Three big gulps” video from the sheriff that went viral on social media got them interested.
“He said, ‘Let’s raise money for Clay PAL, for our youth.’ He asked if they could brew a special blend of coffee,” said Pam Hegel.
Duwayne Hegel said Urban Bean was proud to partner with CCSO for the blend. The coffee is a rich medium roast with chocolate, caramel and nutty overtones.
“We look forward to raising a lot of money for Clay PAL,” Duwayne Hegel said.
The Sheriff’s Blend is available here. A 12-ounce bag of the beans sells for $12.99 and can also be purchased in the store. Online purchases require an additional $6 in shipping and fees.