Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA Kick off Ninth Year of “Operation Ride Home”
Annual Campaign Helps Junior-Enlisted Service Members and Families Travel from Military Bases to Homes Across the Country During the Holiday Season
LYNCHBURG, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Now in its ninth year, Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) have kicked off their “Operation Ride Home” campaign providing financial assistance to active-duty, junior-enlisted military and their families to travel home from their place of military service for the holidays.
Since Operation Ride Home began in 2011, a total of 7,232 individual junior-enlisted service members and their family members have traveled from their bases to homes around the country for the holidays. Servicemen and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been assisted with travel to all 50 states.
Jack Daniel’s has once again kicked off the campaign with a $100,000 donation and is asking friends to visit operationridehome.com and contribute to help more service members spend the holidays at home. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
“All of us at Jack Daniel’s fully support the men and women of our military and recognize the sacrifices they make every day on our behalf,” said Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “For so many of our junior-enlisted service members and their families, trying to decide whether to buy gifts for their children or use the money to travel home for the holidays is a stark choice and one they shouldn’t be forced to make. Operation Ride Home is there to help ease the financial burden, and we hope all our friends will donate what they can so even more families can be reunited with their loved ones.”
“While we are overjoyed to be able to help junior-enlisted military members spend time with loved ones at the holidays, each year there are never enough funds to support the many requests we receive,” said William French, President/CEO of the Armed Services YMCA. “For every family we’re able to help, there are 10 deserving families waiting. We wish all of those protecting our nation would be able to go home for the holidays.”
The ASYMCA works with the various military commands in specific areas co-located with ASYMCA branches to identify and prioritize junior-enlisted service members and families most in financial need. Plane tickets and pre-paid debit cards are given to assist those traveling.
Operation Ride Home is open to active duty E-4 and below, both single and married, who might not otherwise financially be able to travel home for the holidays. The option to drive or fly is an individual decision. For additional information on eligibility and to view participating installations that qualify for travel assistance, please visit https://www.asymca.org/operation-ride-home.
About Jack Daniel’s:
Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery, Lem Motlow, proprietor, is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel’s is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel’s is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.
About ASYMCA:
The Armed Services YMCA is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves currently serving military members and their families. In 2018, we engaged more than 225,000 people in our programs and delivered nearly 1 million points of services to junior enlisted Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and family members at 200 service centers in 18 states. Whether providing respite childcare for parents in need, summer camps for kids, or assisting with emergency needs, the Armed Services YMCA is a nonprofit with a mission: Strengthening Our Military Family. Visit our website to see how you can join us in supporting military families.
Contacts
Mark Day, Jack Daniel’s
(615) 610-0270
Or
Chris Haley, ASYMCA
(571) 932-3212