Salute California's Firefighting Heroes by Snagging Specialty Bottles of Jim Beam(R) Bourbon
Limited-edition label raises awareness and support for California firefighters and their families
LOS ANGELES, June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Pick up a bottle of Jim Beam(R) Bourbon and show your support for California firefighters; it's as easy as that. This summer, limited-edition bottles of Jim Beam - the world's No. 1-selling Bourbon - will help generate much-needed support for firefighters and their families.
Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO)], developed these specialty bottle labels depicting a firefighter to raise awareness for the 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 set up 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.
"We all benefit from what these brave men and women do every day and this is a way people can show their appreciation, while enjoying themselves," said Rory Finlay, global chief marketing officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "We invite everyone to toast this worthy organization."
In 2008, Jim Beam's support helped the organization establish a California chapter dedicated to local firefighters. Jim Beam's donations to the Fund will support the fire departments of the California communities carrying the commemorative bottles. Over 9,000 cases of the specialty bottles will be available at select stores in California.
"By simply buying a bottle of Jim Beam, Californians can send a message of appreciation to the firefighters who help keep them safe," said Brian Farrell, chairman of the Fund and brother of Terry Farrell.
With support from Jim Beam, the California chapter of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund has raised $30,000 and donated approximately $5,000 to local firefighters and their families. In August, the chapter plans to launch a scholarship program for anyone with a family member involved in the California fire service.
"Jim Beam is giving us great visibility by dedicating a bottle to our organization, and its tremendous generosity allowed us to open up a California chapter," said Mike O'Connor, co-founder of the Fund's California chapter and member of the Escondido Fire Department. "Now more firefighters and their families than ever will benefit from the Fund."
Nationally, Jim Beam has 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. The iconic Bourbon brand will distribute more than 36,000 cases of Jim Beam bottles with the specialty label - representing a six-fold increase in cases from the previous year.
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 and Knob Creek(R) Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.comand www.drinksmart.com.
Jim Beam(R) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol.
(C)2009 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY.
