Chicago, January 28, 2010- Hennessy, continuing its longstanding support of urban communities in America, has donated to three Indiana charities through its Community Support Program.
Under this program, Hennessy donates a percentage of sales of any of it’s products in Indiana directly to local community programs that support the betterment of the individual. Hennessy is dedicated to supporting cultural excellence in local communities and cultivating those with potential by helping them to develop job skills and improving their futures.
The three recipients of Hennessy’s Community Support Program are The Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Ivy Tech Community College Bridges to the Baccalaureate (Bridges) Program, the Mozel Sanders Foundation, and National United Merchants Beverage Association’s (NUMBA) Scholarship Program. The Bridges Program, started in 2008 and helps students make the transition from two-year community colleges to four-year baccalaureate programs. The curriculum is specifically designed to emphasize biology, chemistry, and psychology, and students are given the opportunity to perform summer research, attend science learning community courses, and receive stipends and scholarships in the Sciences. The Mozel Sanders Foundation, founded in 1998, strives to serve Thanksgiving dinner to thousands of Indianapolis residents in need. The foundation also organizes a monthly food-giveaway at Mount Vernon church in Indianapolis. Finally, the NUMBA’s Scholarship Program works to provide scholarships to young adults interested in serving in the beverage marketplace.
Hennessy donated $13,000 + to these organizations as a way of giving back to the Indiana Community. “The only way our charity is able to continue to serve the community is with the assistance of people…and corporations like [Hennessy],” said Stephanie Sanders of The Mozel Sanders Foundation. Ms. Sanders added that thanks to community-support organizations such as Hennessy, over 40,000 hot meals were delivered this Thanksgiving Day. Charles Eberhardt, CEO of Community Spirits – a local organization that worked with Hennessy to make the donations, said “We are in an industry where the role of African-Americans is far too often relegated to consumer. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Hennessy to help provide meals for families across Indianapolis.”
Hennessy is also committed to helping low-income students achieve higher and higher levels of education. “It was through the charitable contributions of NUMBA that I was able to earn not one but two college degrees,” said Mechal Arnold, the recipient of one of NUMBA’s scholarships. “I am immensely grateful to the supporters and members of NUMBA and City-Wide Liquors for selecting me as a recipient for a scholarship. The scholarship that was awarded not only assisted me in pursuing my educational goals but it has helped me to pursue my career goals.”
Inspired by the Circle City Classic and its commitment to supporting academic excellence and cultural achievement, the Community Support Program is Hennessy’s latest way of giving back, inspiring greatness, and nurturing new pioneers within the Indiana community.
About Hennessy
Hennessy Cognac , the No. 1-selling cognac in the world, is imported and distributed in the U.S. by Moet Hennessy USA and is a subsidiary of LVMH (Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton). Hennessy distills, ages and blends a full range of marquees, including Hennessy Black, Hennessy V.S., Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy X.O, Hennessy Paradis, and Richard Hennessy.
