Budweiser Sales Benefit Military Families: Beer Brand Donates $1.5 Million to Folds of Honor

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Budweiser, which annually honors the U.S. military with patriotic packaging during the summer, recently culminated the program with a $1.5 million donation to Folds of Honor.

For every case sold from May 5 to July 4, 2013, Budweiser made a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation, up to $1 million. The Anheuser-Busch Foundation contributed an additional $500,000, for a total $1.5 million donation to Folds of Honor, altogether providing 300 scholarships.  

"As the most iconic brand in America, we feel it is our duty to support the military members, and their families, who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said Brian Perkins, vice president, Budweiser. "Folds of Honor and the people it helps continue to be an inspiration to our entire company, and we are very proud to be a longtime partner of this organization."

Since 2010, Budweiser has raised more than $6.5 million for Folds of Honor—providing more than 1,300 educational scholarships to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service. Next year, Budweiser wants to do even more by partnering with its more than 400 wholesalers to help multiply its donation in 2014, when more than 35,000 U.S. troops will return home from Afghanistan.

"Budweiser and its wholesaler system are planning an unprecedented donation for this unprecedented homecoming," said Perkins.

At the Anheuser-Busch sales and marketing conference in San Antonio, Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor founder and former F-16 pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, issued a challenge – and incentive – to the 2,800 attendees. Local wholesalers who commit $5,000 by Dec. 13, 2013 will be eligible to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to fly out to a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by Major Dan Rooney, for dinner and a private tour of the ship, which will be hosted by the ship's captain.

"Thousands of families have benefitted from Budweiser's support of Folds of Honor, but there are thousands more that still need our help," said Rooney. "I am consistently impressed and humbled by the commitment Budweiser and its wholesalers show for our military families and their sacrifices."

About Anheuser-Busch

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.7 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world's largest-selling beers. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

About Folds of Honor

FHF was founded in May 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 Fighter Pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, PGA Professional, and USGA member. A decorated military pilot, Maj. Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. It was after his second tour, while a passenger on a commercial flight, that Maj. Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin. And his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Cpl. Bucklin's family receives him in his final homecoming." Maj. Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Maj. Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation. To learn more about FHF, visit www.foldsofhonor.org.

For more information, contact:
Jeff Grass, 314-765-2126
[email protected]

Jen Crichton, 314-552-6788
[email protected]

SOURCE Budweiser