Justin Saunders, #1 of Alpha Theta Delta at the University of Washington, had been brainstorming something for months. At the Mid-Year Leadership Retreat with other #1’s and Alpha leaders in January, Saunders, ΘΔ ’25, asked the group how to raise sexual assault awareness on campus – and do so respectfully and in a way that would empower the community.
Fast forward to Denim Day, which is celebrated in April every year. Saunders, Philanthropy Chair Nicholas Valades, ΘΔ ’24, and several Brothers had put together a simple concept that they hoped would raise money for sexual assault awareness and make fellow students aware of the serious issue, in a way that was peak Seattle.
“I reached out to eight different local coffee shops that students like to frequent,” says Saunders. “We asked around to see if anyone would work with us for our project, and Bulldog News & Café eventually agreed. They’ve made some great contributions to our community over 40 years, so we were thrilled to work with them.”
Seattle, as a well-known coffee town famous for being home to the original Starbucks, is no stranger to the caffeinated pick-me-ups. The men set up a booth (“Coffee and Conversations”) for four straight mornings; twice in the center of campus, and twice on Greek Row. They offered coffees from Bulldog News & Café below market price and with a sign encouraging conversation about Denim Day and sexual assault awareness.
