Dutch Bros 16th annual ‘Drink One for Dane’ Fundraiser supports fight against ALS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., (KRDO) - Friday, May 20 Dutch Bros Coffee will hold its 16th annual Drink One for Dane day. 

The drive-thru coffee business will donate a portion of proceeds from all of its more than 550 shops to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the leading non-profit organization in ALS research, care, advocacy, educational and professional programming.

This was inspired by Dane Boersma, who founded Dutch Bros with his brother, Travis, in 1992. Dane passed away from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2009.

Dutch Bros and the Boersma family started 'Drink One for Dane' as a way to bring awareness to and support research to find treatments and cures for, the disease.

Since beginning the fundraiser, Dutch Bros has donated more than $10 million to MDA through the support of customers. 

"Over time, I think you can see in our community people show up for that day, and a lot of times we will get people with ALS or people who are currently fighting or family members who have had someone past from it," said Jacob Vacura, regional operator for Dutch Bros Coffee.

This fundraiser is inspired by Dutch Bros Coffee co-founder, Dane Boersma who passed away from the disease in 2009.

"It is just the biggest day to us, to honor someone that we know as the 'Wiseman' it really is a large part of the heart behind who we are and why we give so much," added Vacura.

Right now  300 Coloradans are living with ALS, according to MDA.