DEERFIELD, Ill., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer, limited-edition bottles of Jim Beam - the world's No. 1-selling Bourbon - will help generate much-needed support for America's military, firefighters and their families. Wrapped with custom labels in support of Operation Homefront or the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, the specialty bottles will be available starting May 25, Memorial Day.
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Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. ] developed these specialty bottle labels to raise awareness for two non-profit organizations dedicated to the well-being of these heroes and their families. Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and morale assistance to troops, their families, and wounded warriors, while the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund assists firefighters and their families with educational, medical and equipment needs. The two Jim Beam bottles - one bearing Operation Homefront's stars and stripes logo and the other depicting a firefighter - will be available in select stores Memorial Day through the Fourth of July.
"We all benefit from what these brave men and women do every day and this is a way that people can show their appreciation while enjoying themselves at the same time," said Rory Finlay, global chief marketing officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "We invite everyone to toast these two worthy organizations."
Operation Homefront
"Our partnership with Jim Beam is tremendous because of the Bourbon's popularity," said Amy Palmer, chief operating officer, Operation Homefront. "Dedicating a bottle to our organization gives us great visibility and allows people to show their support for the troops who risk their lives to protect our freedom."
Last year, Jim Beam donated upwards of $250,000 to Operation Homefront through corporate donations, local market events as well as support from its distributors and retailers. Jim Beam hopes to build on that momentum and raise even more money to support Operation Homefront's mission. For more information about Jim Beam's partnership with Operation Homefront, please visit http://www.jimbeam.com/operationhomefront.aspx.
"Jim Beam supports Operation Homefront and the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund because our brands share the same commitment and values - true character, integrity and doing the right thing," said Kelly Doss, senior director of Bourbon and whiskeys, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.
Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund
After fire Chief Terry Farrell perished in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center - along with 342 of his firefighter brethren - his family established his namesake Fund that honors these modern day heroes. The organization donates firefighting equipment to underfunded fire stations as well as provides scholarships and medical services to the families of active, retired and fallen firefighters across the nation.
"By simply buying a bottle of Jim Beam, people across America can send a message of appreciation to the firefighters who keep us safe," said Brian Farrell, chairman of the Fund and brother of Terry Farrell.
Jim Beam has already raised $200,000 for the Fund since 2005, and plans to donate an additional $100,000 this year by expanding commemorative bottle sales from the East Coast to 23 states. For a list of participating states and more information about the Fund, please visit http://www.terryfarrellfund.org/.
About Beam Global Spirits & Wine:
Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam(R) Bourbon, Sauza(R) Tequila, Canadian Club(R) Whisky, Courvoisier(R) Cognac, Maker's Mark(R) Bourbon, Laphroaig(R) Scotch Whisky, Cruzan(R) Rum, Larios(R) Gin, Whisky DYC(R), Teacher's(R) Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek(R) Bourbon and Starbucks(TM) Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. , a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com/ and http://www.drinksmart.com/.
About Operation Homefront:
Operation Homefront(R) provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4.500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has provided critical assistance to more than 45,000 military families in need. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit http://www.operationhomefront.net/ and http://www.homefrontonline.com/.
About the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund:
The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund assists firefighters and their families with educational, medical and equipment needs. Established in memory of Terry Farrell, a decorated member of Rescue 4/FDNY and chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department, the Fund carries on Terry's legacy of helping others wherever there's a need. The Fund donated more than $200,000 of new and surplus equipment to underfunded firehouses in 2008 and has awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to firefighters' family members since 2002. In 2009, the Fund is expanding nationally to benefit more firefighters and their families than ever. For more information, please visit http://www.terryfarrellfund.org/ or http://www2.thestuffinside.com/terryfarrellfund.
Jim Beam(R) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol.
(C)2009 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY.
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Beam Global Spirits & Wine
CONTACT: Dan Cohen of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, +1-847-444-7657,
Dan.Cohen@beamglobal.com; or Joey Lomicky, +1-612-455-1734,
jlomicky@psbpr.com, for Operation Homefront; or Michelle Theilmann,
+1-612-455-1751, mtheilmann@psbpr.com, for Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund
Web Site: http://www.jimbeam.com/
http://www.terryfarrellfund.org/
http://www.beamglobal.com/
http://www.drinksmart.com/
http://www.homefrontonline.com/
