Jack Daniel’s Barrel Trees Help Military Families Get Home for the Holidays
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey has launched its annual Barrel Tree fundraising event, aiming to support junior active-duty military personnel in reuniting with their families during the holiday season. This initiative is a collaboration between Jack Daniel’s and Operation Ride Home, with assistance from the Armed Services YMCA. Since 2011, the Operation Ride Home program has helped over 14,000 service members and their families return home, raising more than $4 million in donations.
The program provides transportation support to military families across all 50 states, serving members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher stated, 'The holidays are a time for connection and gratitude, and we are honored to support the brave men and women who serve our nation. Each barrel carries the legacy of Jack Daniel’s while helping our heroes get home for the holidays. We invite everyone to join us in transforming these barrels into unforgettable memories for our service members and their loved ones.'
Jack Daniel’s erected its first Barrel Tree in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 2011, standing 26 feet tall and constructed from 140 American white oak whiskey barrels. This year, the initiative has expanded nationwide, featuring 22 Barrel Trees illuminating various cities. These barrels, once used to age Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, have been repurposed as festive decorations. The Armed Services YMCA operates 39 service centers near military bases worldwide, offering various programs and services to junior military officers and their families. The Operation Ride Home program specifically focuses on service members ranked E-5 and below, who often face financial challenges during the holidays. By repurposing aged barrels, this initiative not only showcases brand heritage but also provides warm support for military families' holiday reunions.
2025-12-02
Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/jack-daniels-barrel-trees-help-military-families-get-home-for-the-holidays/