Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA Kick Off Eighth Year of “Operation Ride Home”
Annual Campaign Helps Junior Enlisted Service Members and Families Travel from Bases to Homes Across the Country During the Holiday Season
LYNCHBURG, Tenn., December 18, 2018 /3BL Media/- For the eighth year, Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) have kicked off their “Operation Ride Home” campaign that provides financial assistance to active duty junior-enlisted military and their families to travel from their place of military service to back home for the holidays.
Since Operation Ride Home began, a total of 6,410 individual junior-enlisted service members and their family members have travelled from their bases to homes around the country for the holidays. Men and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been assisted with travel to 47 of the 50 states.
“It means so much for us to be able to give back and help our military heroes and their families spend time with their loved ones,” said Jeff Arnett, Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller. “The overwhelming support for Operation Ride Home has been heartwarming and we’re very grateful. Our goal every year with this worthy program is to get as many service members and their families home as possible.”
“Our junior-enlisted service members are often young and new to the military. Many of them face the burden of isolation and financial insecurity,” said William French, ASYMCA President and CEO. “Operation Ride Home truly embodies our mission of Strengthening Our Military Family and we couldn’t ask for a better partner than Jack Daniel’s to join us in sending these service members home to their loved ones 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.
Jack Daniel’s has once again donated $100,000 to kick off the campaign. The famed distillery is asking friends to visit www.jdoperationridehome.com and make a contribution to help more service members spend the holidays at home. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
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.
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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 Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.
About ASYMCA:
The Armed Services YMCA is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves active duty military members and their families. In 2017, we registered more than 250,000 participants and delivered more than 1.3 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 child care 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.
