‘Let’s Help Them Rebuild’: Texas’ First Legal Bourbon Distillery Raises More Than $100K for Local Communities Ravaged by Wildfires

Garrison Brothers shared on Thursday that the Hye, Texas whiskey distillery held a fundraiser with profits exceeding $100,000 to help communities that were ravaged by the wildfires in Texas. The first legal distillery in Texas hosted its annual "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" fundraiser, and the sold-out benefit supported wildfire victims via the nonprofit Panhandle Proud .

"The Texas Panhandle is the great breadbasket of American agriculture," Garrison Brothers Distillery and Panhandle Proud founder Dan Garrison said in a statement. "Garrison Brothers and authentic Texas whiskey producers purchase their grain from producers, coops and malting houses located there. Panhandle residents are as tough as nails. They keep coming back after semi-annual fires, tornados and drought. Bless them for their resilience, faith and determination, and let's help them rebuild."

500 guests attended the fundraiser in Hye at the Garrison Brothers' Distillery . Attendees enjoyed a fried chicken dinner from over 1,000 pounds of poultry supplied by US Foods. A local brewery, Alstadt , donated cases of beer to make sure guests' cups were full. But the heart of the event centered on an auction meant to generate funds to support Panhandle Proud. Guests bid on items such as hand-painted barrels from artisans and other items donated from businesses local to the Texas Hill Country. A guest speaker spoke at the event, Rep. Ken King. The whiskey brand broke records in generating over $100,000 from items auctioned and even sold limited-edition bourbon bottles. Proceeds from Garrison Brother's bottle sales are still being counted towards the profits. Live music was performed by the Noah Kurtis Band. Garrison Brothers shared that it will continue to keep the love coming to victims of the fires in the Texas Panhandle by raising money from the Garrison Brothers gift shop. The brand additionally shared it would implement a month-long campaign with specialized cocktails and other items to benefit the cause.

Wildfires and Hurricanes: 2024 Has Been an Extreme Year for Texas

In May, the Texas Tribune reported that a downed power line caused the state to have the largest wildfire in its entire history and burned over 1,500 square miles in the area. 138 homes burned according to a report and 15,000 cattle died. The fire additionally destroyed wells in the area, eliminating water sources and causing further issues in the future. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Lonestar State as a Category 1 hurricane. Reuters reported on Thursday the storm knocked out power throughout the state, leaving 1.5 million people without power. [newsletter-promo]