My buddy owns the cigar shop I help out at sometimes, and he has a box to put cigars in that then get sent to a platoon of SEALs. He has a childhood friend who became a SEAL and organizes the whole process. If anyone has a cigar shop or is friends with an owner this is a really awesome idea to have started up. Not only for the troops but for business.
Here's how it works:
Everyone who comes into his cigar lounge has to buy a cigar (limited number of seats and he has to make a profit to stay open...no brainer.) So if a guy comes in with his girl who doesn't smoke, he can buy a cigar for himself and one for the soldiers (to cover his girl.)
Also he giver 10% off on sticks for soldiers to encourage purchases.
There are sheets of paper next to the box to write messages to the soldiers. A very nice extra touch.
Cigar shops can send these wherever they like, Wounder Warrior Project, active soldiers they know personally, etc...
This has turned out to make for some very happy deployed warriors and some extra sales. A win-win for all involved. He just sent out a shipment the other day. I included the photo.
Has anyone every encountered this a cigar shop?? If so, do tell about it.
P.S. The cigar shop is called SMoKE - Manayunk. Just outside Center City Philadelphia in a historical district of the city called Manayunk. See the lounge description under cigar places if interested in stopping by and dropping off a smoke for some troops. Or let me know you're stopping in and we can meet and enjoy a herf together.
