Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Pernod Ricard USA Partner to Battle Hunger Across Kentucky
Kentucky Harvest Effort Praised by Governor Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson
Statewide Campaign Funds 360,000 Meals Louisville, Kentucky, December 7, 2009: Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky,
a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern)—the largest distributor of wine and spirits America with a presence in 29 states—has recently partnered with Pernod Ricard USA—a leading supplier of spirits and fine wine in the United States—in support of a statewide charity, Kentucky Harvest, to bolster the fight against hunger across the state. The anti-hunger campaign—entitled “In An ‘Absolut’ World, No One Goes Hungry’’—was a collaboration of Pernod Ricard, Southern and Kentucky Harvest, a non-profit group offering nutritional assistance to needy Kentucky families. Southern and Pernod Ricard raised funds for Kentucky Harvest’s programs by donating a percentage of the sale of each bottle of Absolut Vodka purchased in retail stores and restaurants throughout the Commonwealth. One unique feature of Kentucky Harvest’s program is its self-supporting philosophy where funds raised in a particular community are channeled back—in the form of nutrition support—to that same community.
Commending both Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Pernod Ricard USA for their joint efforts and contributions to the fight against hunger, Governor Beshear said, “Truly, there is no greater gift than giving back and no better feeling than knowing you have helped your community. ” During his remarks, Governor Beshear also mentioned that November15 to 21 was “Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week” in Kentucky. “Pernod Ricard and Southern Wine & Spirits support demonstrates that help can come at any level—a corporation, small business, family or individual.”
Stan Curtis, Founder of Kentucky Harvest and USA Harvest, said: “This precedent-setting partnership proves that when people with compassion and caring team up, many, many people can benefit. The efforts of Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky leadership and its sales force along with the tremendous support of Pernod-Ricard USA has benefitted tens of thousands of the less fortunate in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This is a fine example of doing something big for something good.”
Marty Crane, General Manager - East Division, Pernod Ricard USA, expressed, "We saw a need in the Kentucky community and the opportunity to team with Stan Curtis and Kentucky Harvest along with Southern Wine & Spirits in order to make a difference. Joining efforts against this cause made perfect sense to our team considering the history of the ABSOLUT brand and its current campaign which is all about making the
world a better place for everyone. Elimination of hunger on a local, national or global level Absolutly would make the world a better place. We are all proud of the outcome of the Kentucky program and the Eastern Division is currently exploring ways we can expand this program to more areas throughout the country."
Will Conniff, Executive Vice President - General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of Illinois & Kentucky, said, “Southern Wine & Spirits has a long tradition of social responsibility in the communities that we are privileged to serve. Our partnership with Pernod Ricard USA and Kentucky Harvest is emblematic of our corporate values, our relationship with the state’s hospitality industry and our support of all the people of Kentucky.”
Mr. Conniff added, “We are extremely excited that our parent, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, working in close cooperation with Pernod Ricard USA, plans to replicate this “In An ‘Absolut’ World, No One Goes Hungry” anti-hunger campaign in other states around the nation.”
Southern Wine and Spirits of Kentucky - Mint Jubilee Gala
Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky, a division of Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. is the signature sponsor for The Mint Jubilee Gala that is held annually in May, according to Will Conniff, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Illinois. This event benefits the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and its Mint Jubilee Cancer Resource Center and Gilda’s Club Louisville.
This 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. In 2007, more than 1,400 people including Hollywood stars, business people, derby guests and people from all walks of life attended this event.
The James Graham Brown Cancer Center is one of our 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.
Southern Wine and Spirits of Kentucky has just completed its support under an initial 3-year sponsorship commitment to this event. During this time Southern Wine and Spirits of Kentucky has contributed $390,000 in support. Beginning in 2008, Southern Wine and Spirits of Kentucky has agreed to extend its’ support as the events signature sponsor over the next five years at a minimum total contribution of $500,000 during that time period. To find out more about the event, please visit www.mintjubilee.org
Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky: Holiday Project/Salvation Army/St. Joseph Children Home/Fairdale Ministries.
For the 8th 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 families were selected in conjunction with the local Salvation Army, according to Will Conniff, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky and Illinois.
In 2008, Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky sponsored a total of 11 families. The families were located in Owensboro (2), Lexington (3), Covington (2), and Louisville (4). In addition, we sponsored 15 young people from the St. Joseph Children Home in Louisville. This was the first time we had worked with the St. Joseph Children Home with our Holiday Project. The support from Southern Wine & Spirits employees was overwhelming.
In total, team members at Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky donated $3298.00. In addition, Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky gave a matching donation of $3000.00, raising almost $7,000.00 for this deserving cause. This amount does not include gifts purchased individually by Southern Wine & Spirits 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 and is supervised by Chris Hagan, Human Resources Manager for Southern Wine & Spirits of Kentucky. Mr. Hagan said that the Company’s employees were glad to assist these families during the Holiday season, and it is 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.