The Asian American Student Association (AASA) recently announced their collaboration fundraiser with local coffee shop, Pike House Coffee. This collaboration offers two new specialty drinks that will only be available during the fundraiser, from Sept. 11 through Sept. 15, and a portion of the proceeds will go to AASA.

(Contributed/aasaetsu Instagram)

“Supporting us through this fundraiser would help sustain AASA’s presence on campus, help with event funding, and ensure that our students will always have a place to come home,” says AQ Hanna, AASA’s public relations officer.

The Asian American Student Association is a campus organization dedicated to the growth and inclusion of Asian culture at ETSU. They host bi-monthly meetings with a number of activities and snacks pertaining to learning more about Asian culture. Each semester, AASA also hosts a major event. Previously, they hosted The Lotus Gala, and this year, they are partnering with the Chinese Student Association to host a Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hanna is recognized as the one to approach Pike House with the idea for the fundraiser, as she has been a regular customer since her freshman year.

“I used to study there quite a bit, and I got to know the owners more and more,” says Hanna. “They are genuinely some of the kindest, most welcoming people I have ever met and I speak on behalf of AASA and ETSU’s student body when I say we are blessed to have Pike as a safe space to go.”

Pike House originally started up in a suburban area of Knoxville before moving to Johnson City. Pike House chose to be located close to ETSU in order to provide a welcoming and safe study area for students. Catering to students, and supporting organizations are important values to their staff.

“We love and appreciate our students and faculty that come in and we couldn’t exist without them,” says Owner Greg Schmid. “We will always make sure that everyone has a spot to study and hang out. We also like to welcome anyone who may not feel like they fit in.”

Pike House offers what Schmid describes as a “unique, mysterious atmosphere,” being located in an old, refurbished mill. According to Schmid, customers have also described the atmosphere as magical, spooky and ghostly.

If you would like to support AASA and Pike House Coffee through their fundraiser, you can order one of the two specialty drinks, Dragon’s Delight and Freckled Pearl, for a portion of the proceeds to automatically go to AASA. Alternatively, a portion of the proceeds from any drink you order will help support AASA if you mention the organization.

Photo of the AASA and Pike House specialty menu. (Contributed/aasaetsu Instagram)

“Throughout our first year, we have had the privilege to witness people come together and find community,” says Hanna. “Our hope for AASA is that it will be on campus for many, many more years so that future students will be able to find shelter in the way that we have in one another.”

Author