During the month of December, Heaven Hill Brands prioritized giving at the heart of its initiatives. From donating toys to children through philanthropic toy drives, exchanging gifts in the company-wide gift exchange, spending time together on our Co-Presidents’ Corner LIVE!, and celebrating at holiday parties around the globe, Heaven Hill Brands unites this holiday season to honor one another and give back to our communities. These acts of kindness reflect our commitment to spreading joy and making a positive impact wherever we can.

Philanthropic Toy Drive

Heaven Hill Brands actively participated in philanthropic toy drives across all our locations, spreading holiday cheer to children in need. Employees across various offices and distilleries came together to collect toys and donations, ensuring that children from local communities received gifts that brightened their holidays. Whether it was through toy donations or volunteer work, Heaven Hill’s commitment to giving back was felt far and wide. These initiatives exemplified our company’s dedication to making a positive impact, fostering a spirit of generosity and unity that resonated throughout the holiday season.

Approximately $15,000 was generously donated to support children in our communities, and Heaven Hill employees played an active role by sponsoring and volunteering at the Perry Elementary holiday party. There, they helped provide food and holiday goodie bags to over 450 students and staff members.

In the community of El Nanche, Miahuatlán, Oaxaca, January 6th is the best day to give gifts to children. This day is celebrated as “Dia de Reyes” (Day of the Kings), a tradition in Mexico and Latin America. On this day, various local organizations gather toys and distribute them to children in underserved communities. VAGO took part in this tradition by collecting toys from its employees and delivering them to the chosen village.

Company-Wide Gift Exchange

Heaven Hill Brands embraced the holiday spirit with a company-wide gift exchange called Elfster, where 77 team members from around the globe secretly gifted one another, spreading joy and strengthening connections. This fun and engaging activity allowed employees to showcase their creativity and thoughtfulness, while also fostering new relationships across different departments and locations. As team members exchanged personalized gifts, they had the opportunity to learn more about their colleagues, building a sense of camaraderie. The Elfster gift exchange highlighted Heaven Hill’s commitment to bringing people together and celebrating the season of giving.

“Elfster was a wonderful opportunity to foster the Spirit of Giving and spread cheer among our Heaven Hill colleagues. This program also provided a unique chance for employees from different departments to connect and learn more about each other.” – Kedrick Stanfield

Christmas Turkeys at Black Velvet

On Friday, December 20th, Black Velvet gathered to celebrate the holiday season with a heartfelt and festive event. Each employee received a Christmas turkey (7-9 kg) to take home. For those who preferred not to keep their turkey, donations were facilitated, and thanks to everyone’s generosity, 25 turkeys were donated to the Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank. The Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank, a local non-profit, provides emergency food support to those in need, and we are proud to contribute to their mission during this season of giving. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a delicious meal at D&N Kitchen, sharing great food and even better company.

White Elephant Cocktail Competition

Northern California was thrilled to host the inaugural White Elephant Cocktail Competition in collaboration with outstanding local venues, with special thanks to Drake’s San Carlos for providing the ideal setting. Competitors from Drake’s San Carlos, Zola, Fogbird, Wunderbar, Barrel House Bar, Highlands Sports Bar, and Faith & Spirits brought their enthusiasm to the event. In a fun twist, the competition followed a White Elephant-style format, where participants were surprised with a Heaven Hill spirit, which could be “stolen” up to two times, adding an element of strategy. After a night filled with expertly crafted cocktails, Wunderbar emerged as the winner with a creative concoction featuring beets and carrots, inspired by the owner’s mother’s childhood ingredients.

Drake’s San Carlos featured the same menu from the event throughout December, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local charity!

Executive Leadership Team Visits West End School

Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) had the opportunity to visit our Spirited Neighbor partner, West End School (WES), where they volunteered with the bright young students in kindergarten and fourth grade. After engaging in a variety of fun activities, the team met with WES administrators to explore strategic ways to support and enhance their operations, as well as to strengthen Heaven Hill’s involvement as a partner. To learn more about WES, please click here.

At Heaven Hill, the spirit of giving is at the heart of who we are. Through our Spirited Neighbor program, we’re proud to support the communities we call home, standing alongside causes and leaders that make a real difference. This holiday season, we are honored to continue this tradition by making a donation to our Spirited Neighbor, Louisville Central Community Center. Each gift reflects a unique impact you bring, and every dollar gifted will touch lives, brighten futures, and extend hope to those who need it most.