EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE: A little bit goes a latte

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This week’s Extraordinary Person is behind a project that you may be able to help with. The business he runs is impressive enough, but what he does for Marines on Thanksgiving is Extraordinary!

Steve Schnitzler and Port City Java do some extraordinary stuff with their coffee. For example: the Thanksgiving Dinner for Marines Project. It’s proof that “a little bit goes a latte.”

Before Schnitzler roasted his way to the top at Port City Java, he was a professional chef.

“In 1995, when Front Street Brewery opened, I was the first executive chef,” Schniztler said.

He tried to buy a restaurant in Wilmington, but the deal fell through, and the door closed; however, another door would open.

“The guy I tried to buy it from asked if I wanted to become part of Port City Java. I said, ‘Yeah. I’ll give it a shot,'” Schnitzler said.

That shot would have him cooking up a new career.

“There was a pretty steep learning curve. Chefs have big egos,” Schnitzler laughed. “I figured, hey, it’s coffee. How complex could it be? Well, after traveling to Brazil and Costa Rica and seeing the process involved, I learned all about it from the roasting side to operations. There’s an awful lot to know.”

Eventually Schnitzler would become the Chief Executive Officer for the local coffee biz. He would also help create a way to help Marines find a home away from home.

“The first year we brought down a single bus,” Schnitzler explained of the project. “I wanted to make sure we get enough families, enough Marines. The first year it was one bus. The second year it was three buses and 137 Marines. Three buses and 154 Marines last year. And three buses, maybe a potential fourth bus this year.”

Now in the fourth year and still growing is Schnitzler’s mission to give new Marines a Thanksgiving dinner with a local family. Two Marines are paired to each volunteer family.

“These guys that we get are fresh out of boot camp and Camp Geiger School of Infantry,” Schnitzler said. “Generally 18, 19 and 20 years old. This is their first holiday away from home.”

So far his little project has been a home run. His community involvement has given thanks many times over, and that’s extraordinary.

Here are the guidelines for volunteer families from Port City Java/event organizers:
-Due to time restraints, each family who volunteers must live within 15 minutes of the drop off locations. These locations are Hoggard High School, E.A. Laney High School and New Hanover High School in Wilmington.
-Volunteers will pick up their Marines at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving and must be returned to the drop off location by 6 p.m. promptly for the return trip to Camp Lejeune.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Schnitzler at steve@portcityjava.com.

Volunteer opportunities fill quickly and are filled first come, first serve.

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And if you know an Extraordinary Person, send me an email and let me know about them. dseamans@wwaytv3.com