Southern Comfort Reaches $250,000 Donation to the Gulf Relief Foundation; Launches Partnership With Dine America Dine Louisiana to Support Gulf Seafood

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Comfort announces it has reached the $250,000 donation announced in June to the Gulf Relief Foundation to help the fishing community and support wetland preservation in Plaquemines Parish.  Plaquemines Parish is the location of the famed Woodland Plantation appearing, until recently, on the Southern Comfort label.  Created in New Orleans in 1874, Southern Comfort initially donated $50,000 while raising the additional $200,000 through a Facebook initiative and a donation per bottle sold campaign.

Originally, one hundred percent of the total Southern Comfort donation would go towards helping the Plaquemines Parish area with the Gulf Relief Foundation recording the impact it has had on the area.  However, the funds will now also be distributed to organizations in other communities in Southeast Louisiana, as the need for assistance is great.  The Gulf Relief Foundation distributed funds to the following organizations last week.

• Community Center of St. Bernard – $5,000 to assist with moving the organization to more suitable facilities
• St. Bernard Project – $75,000 to continue the Louisiana Spirit Program to support families in Southeast Louisiana rebuild their lives and communities through a variety of human services
• Bayou Grace Community Services – $27,000 to support programs in the 5 Bayous in Lower Terrebonne Parish designed to empower the community and job search training
• Gulf Care Consortium – $51,865 for mental health services; the "Chenier Project" empowers and equips Grand Bayou families to reclaim the land and grow their gardens, raise animals and supplement the seafood that has been the basis of their diet.

The Gulf Relief Foundation distributed the first $35,000 of Southern Comfort's initial donation to the Plaquemines Parish Community CARES Center.  The funds enabled the PPCCC to hire a mental health counselor to meet the growing mental health needs of the local community.  

"The Gulf Relief Foundation is grateful to Southern Comfort for making possible the continuation of our work," said David Freedman, general manager of WWOZ radio station and a member of the three-person foundation board.  "As soon as it was apparent that the Deepwater Horizon oil blowout of April 22, 2010 would profoundly devastate for years to come to the Gulf region, a handful of local business and cultural leaders formed the Gulf Relief Foundation to support Louisiana's decimated fishing community and address the economic, social and ecological chaos wrought by the largest ever marine oil incident. Because of our personal experiences during and after Katrina, we were keenly aware of the importance of creating a grass-roots relief organization that could assure local sensitivity to the complex problems on the ground arising from the massive oil intrusion. Proactively engaging the affected communities and minimizing red tape has allowed the Gulf Relief Foundation to act effectively and respond nimbly to new information as it unfolds, while, at the same time, minimizing secondary costs associated with the relief effort."

"The outpouring of support for Gulf communities has been heartwarming," said Kerry Walsh Skelly, Global Managing Director for Southern Comfort.  "Southern Comfort is proud to have provided a mechanism for people around the country to help our neighbors in southeast Louisiana.  While this region may not be getting as much press attention today as it did in May & June, the needs are still great.  Southern Comfort's contribution to the Gulf Relief Foundation will make an ongoing difference to communities that will need help and support for many months to come."

The Gulf Relief Foundation (www.gulfaid.org) was established in response to April's oil spill in the Gulf Region to raise funds to support the well-being of fisherman, wetlands and wildlife in Plaquemines Parish and St. Bernard Parish.  The fund will ensure all proceeds are distributed to organizations focused on the well-being of fishermen, and the regional seafood industry & supporting wetlands/coastal environmental issues.  The Gulf Relief Foundation kicked their efforts off on May 16 with the Gulf Aid Benefit Concert raising $300,000.

Dine America Dine Louisiana Partnership

Additionally, Southern Comfort will partner with Dine America Dine Louisiana, a nationwide dinner event on December 1 involving 150 of the biggest chefs from Louisiana and the rest of country preparing a special dinner to celebrate the importance of cuisine and culture and to commemorate the world-renowned Louisiana cuisine and the wild caught seafood.  A multi-course meal will be created with Gulf Region seafood in every dish but dessert.

Southern Comfort will be exclusive spirit sponsor featuring cocktails and desserts at each dinner in participating markets.  Besides Louisiana, participating markets include New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Baltimore, Atlanta and Louisville.  Please go www.dineamerica2010.com for more details.

About Southern Comfort

Southern Comfort®, a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur, was created in New Orleans by bartender M.W. Heron in 1874. Today, it is enjoyed by friends in over 100 countries around the world and now encompasses a extensive family of brands, including Southern Comfort, Southern Comfort 100 Proof, Southern Comfort Lime, Southern Comfort Ready To Serve Cocktails, among others.  Please visit us at SoCopressroom.com, SouthernComfort.com and facebook.com/southerncomfort.  

Please Drink Responsibly.

Liqueur, 21-50% Alc. by Volume, Southern Comfort Company, Louisville, KY ©2010

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