Coffee-fueled fundraiser to help pets in need in Kennewick

What started with the generosity of a couple of baristas has turned into a coffee-fueled fundraiser to support Benton-Franklin Humane Society.

Dutch Bros Foundation announced it will donate a dollar from every drink purchased Saturday, April 25, at the four Kennewick locations to the shelter.

The money will help pay for medical services, care in the shelter and a second chance for more than 1,200 animals every year, the society said in a Facebook post.

The event builds on a viral video posted in February when two baristas donated a can of whipped cream, dog biscuits and enough cups to make sure all 35 dogs in the shelter got to have a treat.

Julie Saraceno, a shelter volunteer, shared the video that attracted more than 1 million likes on her social media posts.

It even drew the attention and special feature by People magazine and fellow pet lovers, “We Rate Dogs.”

Saraceno returned to the Dutch Bros stand the next week with large tips for the two baristas. The company also partnered with Saraceno to give away 50 packages for “pup cups” for other animal shelters.

“With so much sadness in the world lately, I have been quite down. This was such a great thing to happen and reminded me there are good people in the world,” Saraceno told the Tri-City Herald at the time.