Corporate sponsorship, community involvement and educational excellence are all important charitable concerns at Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky, according to Will Conniff, Vice President, General Manager of Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois and Kentucky, which are divisions of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the country’s leading wine and spirits distributor with a tradition of service since 1968.

 

 

I. Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and the Mint Jubilee Gala Fundraiser

 

Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky is the signature sponsor for The Mint Jubilee Gala that is held annually in May. This event benefits the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and its Mint Jubilee Cancer Resource Center and Gilda’s Club Louisville. The black-tie event, which began in 1997, is held at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky on the eve of the Kentucky Derby each year.

 

According to Mr. Conniff, The James Graham Brown Cancer Center is one of the community’s leading facilities in the treatment of cancer. The Center is within its final push toward National Cancer Institute designation. The Mint Jubilee Resource Center assists patients and families in dealing with the physical and psychological challenges of cancer. Gilda’s Club is a special place where all cancer patients and their families join with others to build social and emotional support. The funds from the Mint Jubilee Gala will go a long way toward supporting these endeavors.

To find out more about the event, please visit www.mintjubilee.org.

II. Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky: Holiday Project/Salvation Army/St. Joseph Children Home/Fairdale Ministries

 

For the 12th consecutive year, the employees of Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., showed their generosity by helping needy families during the Holiday Season. The out of town families were selected in conjunction with the local Salvation Army and the Jefferson County Public Schools. This year we sponsored a total of 11 families. The families were located in Owensboro (2), Lexington (3), Covington (2), and Louisville (4). Also, the company provided clothing for over 30 children selected from the Jefferson County Public Schools. We also provided shoes for 30 children at St. Joseph Children Home here in Louisville, KY. The reception from the Southern Wine & Spirits employees was overwhelming.

Total monies collected were $4921.84. SWSKY gave a match amount of $3000.00 for a total of $7921.84. This amount does not include gifts purchased individually by SWS employees. All children received at least 2- 3 outfits, which included shirts, pants, tennis shoes, jackets, toys, bikes and other gifts. Each family also received a Kroger gift certificate for a Holiday dinner.

This program has been in operation since 1998. Supervised by Chris Hagan, our Human Resources Manager, employees were glad to assist these families during the Holiday season. We are proud to participate in this particular effort, as we do for many other charities, and we continue to want to play a constructive role in these efforts across Kentucky. Mr. Hagan noted that the Company has received written thank you notes from the organizations as well as thank you cards from the family members including the children.

 

III. Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

 

Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky employees walked during the annual 5K “Making Strides” Cancer Walk, collectively contributing $8,000 for the overall fundraising event.

 

The weather was spectacular and the energy and enthusiasm was electric! TEAM SOUTHERN, captained by Jenna Hegg and Beth Bollnow began the fundraising drive soliciting friends and family, holding bake sales, “yard sales” and many biscuit sales.

 

The entire Southern team was congratulated by Mr. Conniff and Mr. Campbell for all their efforts.

IV. Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky Teams Up With Jim Beam Brands & Wal-Mart To Support OPERATION HOMEFRONT

 

Operation Homefront is a Southern Wine & Spirits of America National Initiative to support the families of our troops here at home. Headed up by Ken Kribel, SWS Representative for Operation Homefront National and Mike Wanamaker, SWS Operation Homefront Director of Development, Special Events & Carly Samuelson of Operation Homefront Director of Development, Special Events, Volunteers from SWS-KY, Jim Beam Brands and Wal-Mart unloaded and distributed 400 Holiday Food Baskets and Gift Cards to waiting families of soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell at the Oak Grove Community Center.

Realizing there were another 150 families in need the group rallied with the generous support of the 3 local Wal-Marts and Jim Beam brands to insure all families were taken care of. As each family came in to register they were greeted by a volunteer who carried the goods to their vehicle and thanked them for their service to our country. Many of the families are struggling with a tough economy and young children at home and really appreciated the assistance.

Southern Wine & Spirits Jim Beam Brands & Wal-Mart Are proud to give back to our community!