Dear Rolando,
Hope this finds you well, just thought we would send you an update of where we are at with The Sam Project and our wonderful association with Vittoria.
Five months ago, after selling everything we own to fund The Sam Project, we started our indefinite journey throughout Australia and so far we have covered about 19,000kms. We first went to Winton in outback Queensland where we knew the drought had been severe for years and help might be much needed; it is indeed! Scott, being an ex-farmer, was able to connect on a deeper level to the farmers we came across and more than anywhere, we realised how the stigma of mental illness is entrenched, especially in rural and remote communities, and how the simple act of talking about it can help lift the weight and motivate people to find help.
After Winton we went South through western Queensland to reach the Northern end of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. We then came West travelling through Broken Hill, Wilcannia, Cobar, Dubbo en route to Sydney where we attended the Sydney Aroma festival of which Pauls milk was a sponsor. They had managed to arrange for the Sam Project to occupy a prime position on George street outside the MCA. What an epic and worthwhile day this was! We gave away more than a thousand coffees for a gold coin donation and managed to raise $1,300 which we gave to the Black Dog Institute. The organisation for the day was seemless and Cassandra; kind, caring and efficient as she is, managed to source 2 fabulous Vittoria staff for the day, Charlie and Zac, who were a true credit to the company. On this note we had sent our feedback to Cass after the day and she made sure Charlie's manager would get it as well.
The boys making coffee on the day allowed us to engage with people in the queue and raise awareness about mental health. Carried by the success of the day, Pauls organised for us to attend the Maitland aroma festival a few weeks later and we engaged in hundreds of meaningful conversations on the 2 days of the festival.