From a Bad Year to a Great Number!
Wise Men Distillery, a Kentwood, Mich.-based distillery of award winning spirits, today announced a donation of $2020 to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and is challenging fellow small business owners to also donate $2020 to help Rescue Christmas for those who need it most in West Michigan.
“Like so many small business owners across West Michigan and the country, we certainly have had to struggle through these challenging times. However, we also know that there are many throughout our community who are less fortunate than we are; families who may not have a holiday meal and children who will not have presents under tree,” said Tom Borisch, who along with Jason Post and Zack Van Dyke co-own Wise Men Distillery. “We are hoping that fellow entrepreneurs will meet our challenge to donate $2020 to this very worthy cause.”
Wise Men chose to donate $2020 as a way of salvaging the year’s roller coaster ride through the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Here is an opportunity to take the number 2020 and turn it around, make something positive out of it, and help families and children in communities throughout West Michigan,” Borisch added.
Rescue Christmas is the theme of The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, which this year has a goal of $1.3 million in Kent County. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army’s ability to raise vital funds is at risk this season. With more people facing hardships this year, and many coming to The Salvation Army for the first time in their lives, the need to serve those most vulnerable is greater than ever, said Major Glen Caddy, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of West Michigan and Northern Indiana.
“We are grateful for Wise Men Distillery’s generosity and support of our Rescue Christmas campaign,” Major Caddy said. “We are hopeful that their generosity will inspire others to join in supporting The Salvation Army as we work to help those who need help and will go a long way to help us Rescue Christmas for those most vulnerable this year.”
Money raised from the Red Kettle Campaign is used to fund programs in Kent County for these services:
- Provide emergency food assistance to over 5,000 households;
- Assist upwards of 1,500 households facing utility shutoffs;
- Help more than 1,000 individuals break the cycle of substance abuse and addiction;
- Support disaster victims and first responders every time disaster strikes;
- Provide programs that positively impact children through seniors at the Kroc Center and Fulton Heights Corps.