Eugene Field donated its proceeds from Red Ribbon Week to a residential treatment center, and a faith partner of the school pledged to match the contribution.

The elementary students made a $211 donation to Shepherds Fold Ministry to help area men overcome addiction on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in collaboration with Northpoint Nazarene Church pastor Greg Gilberto, who generated profits from his Anointed Brew Coffee.

“We raised $105 in four days one quarter at a time, which I thought was impressive,” Eugene Field counselor Esther Luna recapped. “We sell little red ribbons to raise awareness for being drug-free but instead of receiving prizes, we tell them: ‘We don’t need any prizes anymore.’ We like to give the money away instead.”

Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. The proceeds from ribbon sales typically go toward student prizes acquired by Poplar Bluff R-I Health Director Bailey Hester, drug-free coordinator. However, Eugene Field elects to donate its annual winnings to an area recovery center in need.

Luna learned that Shepherds Fold was in the process of establishing a residential treatment facility in Wappapello at the former Cotrell Funeral Home on Highway T from past Eugene Field colleague Jackie Gilberto, retired educator, who is married to Greg Gilberto.

Beginning in 2020 during the pandemic, Greg Gilberto launched a weekly livestream ‘Coffee with the Pastor’ segment via Facebook to stay connected with his congregation. Over the summer, he gained access to a commercial roaster in Doniphan, and began bagging his own coffee product with a note of cinnamon that he labeled Anointed Brew.

All proceeds from the coffee, $20 per bag, go toward nonprofits. So far Greg Gilberto has given away over $1,000, he reported.

###

Cutline: Students Luna Matthews-Fratesi (left) and Bay Paukner (right) present a donation to Shepherds Fold Ministry, represented by director Paul Boyer (gray button-up) and residents.