Beam Honors Military Families With $100,000 Donation To Operation Homefront

DEERFIELD, Ill., Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Beam Inc. (NYSE:BEAM), a leading global premium spirits company, teamed up with music superstars Kid Rock and Montgomery Gentry this summer to recognize and support military service members and their families with a $100,000 donation to Operation Homefront. Wounded warriors were invited to participate in two separate check presentations at concerts in Dallas and Indianapolis, which marked the latest demonstrations of Beam's long history of support for the military.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130819/CG66091-a)

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130819/CG66091-b)

Beam and its flagship bourbon brand, Jim Beam®, have worked closely with Operation Homefront since 2008, donating more than $2.5 million through a variety of charitable programming efforts.

"We are extremely proud of our service men and women and the sacrifices they've made for our country," said Frederick "Fred" Booker Noe III, seventh generation Beam master distiller. "Together with Operation Homefront, all of us at Jim Beam are honored to help these heroes and their families once they return home and adjust to life back in the United States."

In Dallas, Army Sgt. Ralph Harroff and his wife, Lorie, joined Kid Rock and Noe to accept a $50,000 check made out to Operation Homefront. Harroff was injured while serving in Afghanistan, and has received housing assistance from Operation Homefront while doctors continue to repair his injuries. Harroff and his family were the second recipients of a new home under the Homes for the Homefront program.

In Indianapolis, Army Spec. Dustin Foraker, and his wife, Heather, joined Montgomery Gentry and Fred Noe to present an additional $50,000 to Operation Homefront. Foraker also sustained injuries while serving in Afhanistan and upon returning to the United States to recover, received housing and financial assistance from Operation Homefront for his family.

"We are incredibly thankful for Beam's continued support of Operation Homefront," said Tim Farrell, Operation Homefront's Chief Operating Officer. "Beam's generous contributions have helped us support thousands of military families each year. Whether that help comes in the form of emergency financial assistance or finding a military family a new home, it makes a huge impact to the families we serve."

Jim Beam's long history of support for the military can be traced all the way back to the 1700s. If not for the land grant given to the Beam family for all their service during the revolutionary war, the brand's Kentucky distillery may not have existed. Today, Beam Inc. is proud to employ numerous veterans and active military personnel, and has promised to hold the jobs of those called to active duty.

About Beam Inc.
As one of the world's leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World.  Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials.  Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 million 9-liter equivalent cases and some of the industry's fastest growing innovations. 

Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index.  For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

About Operation Homefront
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence who provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors. Operation Homefront  has met more than 750,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 95 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

SOURCE Beam Inc.