Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey maker is donating more than $ 100,000 to pay for airfare and travel funds for the troops at Fort Campbell, KY., December holiday season spent with their families across the country.
Distiller also asked the public to make additional contributions can help hundreds of soldiers strapped for cash that otherwise would be stuck in the post on the Tennessee-Kentucky State line. Donations can be made for the return trip operating online campaigns in www.jdoperationridehome.com.
Fort Campbell, said he would work with the leader of the unit to identify the neediest soldiers who will be eligible for airline ticket voucher up to $ 300 for each family member and a debit card up to $ 100 for each family member to gas and lodging.
Jack Daniel’s start with a donation of $ 101,000 Fund in honor of the Fort Campbell-based 101st Airborne Division, who had recently returned from a deployment to Afghanistan. Soldiers stationed there come from all over the country, but the cost of travel can be a huge burden on a single soldier or families with young children.
“Unfortunately many of these soldiers do not have the money to fly to New York or flying to California,” he said. “No presents for Christmas if they do it.”
West said it was the first large scale program to see him in the military to pay travel expenses of private soldiers.
Jennifer Powell, senior brand manager for whisky distiller based in Lynchburg, Tenn., said they hoped their donations will build awareness of the needs of this army.