Jim Beam Unveils 2009 Special Edition Label in Support of Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund

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Beginning Memorial Day, May 25th, and running through July 4, 2009, Jim Beam, distillers of the world's No. 1 bourbon, will be selling specially labeled bottles to generate support for and awareness of the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund. This charitable organization was established in 2002 by the family of fallen FDNY Firefighter Terry Farrell, and through public and corporate donations it is able to provide underfunded fire departments with equipment and needy firefighting families with scholarships and medical services.

Terry Farrell was a decorated member of FDNY's Rescue 4 and the Fire Chief of the Dix Hills Volunteer Fire Department. He tragically perished at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and in the wake of his death, his family, led by brother Brian Farrell, established the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund to honor firefighters across the United States. The organization donates firefighting apparatus and equipment to fire departments in need, and they also provide scholarships and medical services to families of active, retired, and fallen firefighters across the nation.

Each year hundreds of firefighting families and fire departments benefit from the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, and so far this year the organization has been able to make several donations throughout the country. Brian Farrell explains, "In 2009 alone, we've given out eight Chief's cars. We've given out two engines, pumpers. We've gotten a ladder truck and Heavy Rescue and four ambulances. Plus, we've given out about $200,000 in turnout gear, the coats and pants the firefighters wear." Farrell says that 100% of the money they raise goes directly to fire departments or firefighting families.

The fund has grown each year, with unsolicited donations coming from the public and corporate donations coming from companies like Jim Beam. In 2005, the distiller joined forces with the charity, and through 2008 they had donated approximately $250,000 to the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund through the sale of their specially labeled bottles, according to Farrell. This year, Jim Beam's commitment has increased with a donation of $100,000 for the sale of the new bottles, as they have widened their distribution from 3 states in 2008 to 36,000 cases in 27 states in 2009.

Explaining his company's dedication to helping raise money for the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, Tony Truzzolino, the General Manager for Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.'s East Region, says, "Everything around the Fund was exactly what the Beam brand and the Beam company is all about, donating and helping people. It was just a natural fit. We saw every reason to be involved in this. We saw every reason to make sure we stayed involved with it over many different regime changes."

At the company's official unveiling of the label to their sales team on May 18th on Long Island, New York, Jim Beam presented Brian Farrell with a check for $10,000 to kick-off the promotion.

To find out more about the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and how to donate, visit www.terryfarrellfund.org. To learn more about the story of how the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and Jim Beam became partners in this worthy cause, watch Bill Lorin's report here.