Signature espresso machines auctioned for charity

Seattle Coffee Gear announced this week that it will hold charitable auctions for five of Rocket Espresso's limited edition Giro D'Italia semi-automatic espresso machines to benefit the charity Coffee Kids.

Hand-crafted in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Giro D'Italia, this series will total 100 machines in all and feature unique touches such as a Maglia Rosa-inspired pink manometer, individually numbered badges, quintessentially Italian detailing and a machine-engraved listing of all 92 winners of the race. Rocket Espresso will also include a June 1st 2009 copy of the newspaper that started the race a century ago, La Gazzetta della Sporte, which celebrates the centennial and the race's historic winner.

"When Rocket offered us the opportunity to carry this special edition, we decided we wanted to make it about more than just selling a collector's item," said Victor Gehlen, founder of Seattle Coffee Gear. "We chose to involve Coffee Kids because we love their mission to help provide community support to coffee growing families in Central America and we thought those interested in a unique machine like the Giro D'Italia Giotto would love to know their purchase was going to support such a great cause."

Five consecutive auctions will begin on June 19 and continue weekly through to July 24. For more information, please visit http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/auction.