Ole Smoky Distillery of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, announced a $115,000 donation to Friends of the Smokies. The nonprofit organization assists the National Park Service in its mission to preserve and protect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation’s most visited national park. This is the fourth consecutive year Ole Smoky has donated to the organization, resulting in a combined total of $340,000 gifted to Friends of the Smokies to date.
Ole Smoky Distillery continues to be a long-time supporter of Friends of the Smokies, inspiring the 2021 release of their Limited Edition ‘Friends of the Smokies Blackberry Moonshine’, crafted to support the preservation and protection of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ole Smoky also provides staffing for volunteer days in the national park, as well as sponsoring their annual events and community activations. The $115,000 donation is a result of event sponsorship and specialty jars sold at all four distilleries this year to date. A check presentation was held at The Barn, Ole Smoky’s Distillery in Pigeon Forge, to commemorate the charitable act.
“We are so grateful for this donation from Ole Smoky, a business that is both deeply rooted in the Great Smoky Mountains and generously supports the care of our treasured National Park,” said Dana Soehn, president and CEO of Friends of the Smokies.
“Ole Smoky is deeply honored to support our neighbors in East Tennessee and give back to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, especially as they face remaining challenges from natural forces like Hurricane Helene this year,” said Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky Distillery. “Making a difference in the region that shaped our heritage is a privilege, and we’re grateful for the continued support from our fans, whose love for our ‘Friends of the Smokies’ Blackberry Moonshine helps preserve this cherished landmark for future generations.”
The Limited-Edition Commemorative Ole Smoky ‘Friends of the Smokies’ Blackberry Moonshine can be purchased at Ole Smoky’s distilleries in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Nashville. For more information on how to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after Hurricane Helene, visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org.