One of the most successful and least touted successes of the Bush Administration – The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief – has saved the lives of millions of desperately poor and ill across the African Continent. Since 2004, over $15 billion in antiretroviral drugs, medical supplies and training, and education has resulted in what has been described as “the most significant aid program since the end of colonialism”.

Even so – there is much more to be done. This holiday season Starbucks is helping to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa. The Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee and (Red) recently announced a multi-year partnership that will begin next month with the sale of three co-branded products. From Nov. 27 to Jan. 2, the retailer will donate five cents from the sale of (Red) Exclusive Holiday beverages Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle to the Global Fund, which was established in 2002 to finance programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria worldwide.

My youngest daughter, who has been a proud member of the Starbucks family since her freshman year in college and is now a store manager in Lake Oswego, Oregon, and her husband produced this video to share the reality of this epidemic with her partners. I am thrilled to be able to share it with my friends too. And join me in a Gingersnap Latte tomorrow – a nice warm way to remember that helping someone is a very good thing.