Boardroom Spirits, the award-winning Lansdale-based precision craft distiller, has expanded philanthropic efforts to support the local community which has been so critical to its success. The pandemic was the catalyst for three major charitable efforts including turning fundraising events into virtual donation days for animal rescue organization to coincide with new product releases, the production and donation hand sanitizer to first responders and curbside customers and social media campaigns to highlight essential workers and honor their efforts with $50 gift card and a gallon of hand sanitizer.
Boardroom Spirits has traditionally hosted several fundraisers in its tasting room for local businesses and nonprofit organizations including celebrity chef partner Robert Irvine’s Foundation which supports military personnel and first responders. They recently reimagined an event dedicated to supporting a cat shelter with critical donations that prior to pandemic climates were challenging, but now nearly impossible. The distillery developed a fundraising solution for Stray Cat Blues who rescues stray and abandoned cats and kittens in Montgomery and Bucks Counties and suburban Philadelphia areas. Coinciding with the launch of its Ship’s Cat rum, the distillery donated 20% of all product sales for one entire day. Boardroom donated $6,000 to the organization. Running indefinitely every two months, the program donates to those in need in both difficult as well as easier times The next product launch is a cinnamon and honey whiskey, benefitting Dog Town Rescue which removes at-risk dogs from shelters and provides a fun, leash-free home until fur-ever families are found.
Boardroom Spirits and its owners have enjoyed a consistent outpouring of local fans since its start. As a way to pay their gratitude forward, the owners, like many others faced with the changed climate, have leaned into their current situation and launched ‘Hero of the Week’ a social program honoring frontline workers who work tirelessly and selflessly keeping us safe with $50 weekly giveaways nominated by Boardroom fans. The both program embraces and celebrates the core mission of philanthropy Boardroom has always adhered to and will continue indefinitely.
In March, the distillery began producing hand sanitizer to meet growing demand and widespread shortages. Boardroom chose two local businesses, Sandcastle Winery and Free Will Brewing, and provided them with much needed revenues by purchasing hard to move product so they could convert it into hand sanitizer. It’s being given away in 4 oz. gratis quantities to the surrounding area Lansdale community as well as first responders. To date, the distillery has given over 700 gallons and continues to give 13 gallons of gratis sanitizer daily.
“As small business owners who chose the Lansdale area for our distillery, we do not take our mission of supporting others in our community and industry lightly,” said Marat Mamedov, owner of Boardroom Spirits. “We have always believed if you love what you do, if you take care of the people around you, then success will come. With the support of our neighborhood and our community, we are able to survive and thrive. Our distillery is both equally entrepreneurial and humanitarian — for us it goes hand in hand.”
