March 10, 2007: Vol. 30, No. 10

Carroll Gardens caffeine addicts are uniting to raise money for a Naidre’s barista who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease.

On Sunday, the friends and colleagues of Emily Storm, the 23-year-old coffee slinger at the popular Henry Street location, held a benefit for her at Lido Bar in Red Hook.

“Working at a coffee shop, she doesn’t have health insurance,” said Ambrose Austin, Naidre’s general manager. “We wanted to do something to help out, especially when she found out she would have six months of chemo.”

About 100 people turned out for the benefit. The proceeds — combined with donations from the Carroll Gardens Naidre’s and the newer location on Seventh Avenue between 11th and 12th streets in Park Slope — totaled $5,000.

“I think it speaks to the neighborhood spirit [that we raised so much],” said Austin. “Working at a coffee shop, you get to know a ton of people and you’re a part of their lives.”

And then, of course, there’s what Austin calls Storm’s “hilarious” personality, “wry sense of humor,” and “intelligence.”

Storm’s last two scheduled shifts were on Friday and Saturday, although she may pick up some shifts if she’s feeling up to it.

Meanwhile, workers at both Naidre’s coffeehouses will continue to raise money. If you want to help out your neighborhood barista, do stop by.

©2007 The Brooklyn Paper