Uptown Cigars Donates to the Troops

Philanthropy and the brotherhood of the leaf have converged upon Upton Cigar, in Kingston, New York. Many cigar companies and shops have donated sticks to U.S. military personnel serving overseas, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. While Cigars for Soldiers has done a considerable amount of heavy lifting in this regard, there are lots of local efforts that are making a profound difference in the lives of people who have made the sacrifices associated with serving their country.

At Uptown Cigar, what started small has grown quickly. According to Israel Markevitz, the store's manager, word of mouth has been the major driver. The occasional customer would buy a box to ship overseas (the shop pays for that part). Before long, Markevitz was sending more than five boxes a week, ensuring that virtually every soldier who makes a request has it as quickly as possible.

Needless to say, the practice caught on. Now, Uptown Cigar ships five boxes a week or more to military personnel serving in combat, if only to thank them for their service and make their lives a little easier. Learn a bit more about this practice from the video below.