Beam Suntory and parent company Suntory Holdings pledged $1 million to organizations providing relief and recovery in the wake of the powerful tornados that devastated communities in western Kentucky and several other states.
The donation will be divided equally between the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, which has been established by Gov. Beshear to assist those impacted by the tornados, and the American Red Cross’s disaster relief fund.
In addition, Beam Suntory is matching personal donations by U.S. employees to relief organizations, some employees are using paid Beam Suntory Cares Days to volunteer their time to support the recovery, and the company has donated single-barrel bourbon from Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek to a charity auction organized by the Kentucky Distillers Association.
“The quick response to this heartbreaking tragedy by first responders, relief organizations, government agencies and neighbors helping neighbors has been inspiring,” said Beam Suntory CEO Albert Baladi. “While our facilities and teams were spared the worst of this catastrophe, we stand with our neighbors and offer this support on behalf of the more than 1,200 people of Beam Suntory in Kentucky.”
“Our sincerest sympathies go out to all who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses. Kentucky is the heart and soul of our company, and Suntory Group is committed to supporting Kentucky communities as they recover from this crisis in the spirit of our fundamental value of giving back to society,” said Tak Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings.