How Pendleton Whisky Is Addressing Veterans’ Most Dire Needs

This article was produced in partnership with Pendleton Whisky

Despite the sacrifices veterans have made for our country, they’re often overlooked as a group that needs support. Veterans from all branches of the military are grappling with serious issues and need assistance with mental health, housing, food insecurity, and more.

For the third year in a row, Pendleton Whisky is helping ensure veterans’ issues are not forgotten with the release of its 2023 Military Edition bottle. The brand is donating $100,000 from proceeds of this special-edition whisky to the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an eponymous organization founded by a journalist who was severely injured while reporting in Iraq. Woodruff has dedicated his life to helping veterans and their families.

Partnerships like the one between Pendleton Whisky and Bob Woodruff Foundation are crucial to keeping the plight of veterans in the public eye. “I think it’s enormously important for public-private partnerships, as well as government assistance,” says Todd Duso, COO and CFO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation and an Army veteran himself. “There’s so much the government can’t do, so if private companies don’t step in and fill those gaps, veterans don’t get services they need and deserve.”

‘The Bob Woodruff Foundation prioritizes mental health treatment and suicide prevention, not just for veterans but for their families as well. “We’ve found through our research that 47 percent of active military duty families report that one or more of their children have some sort of mental health issue based on family members being injured, frequent deployments, or just having to move often,” Duso says.

But it’s not just mental health that the Bob Woodruff Foundation supports, because veterans’ needs extend beyond that. “We give to causes that help [veterans] thrive in their life after service,” Duso says, whether that’s recovering from physical or mental injuries, finding employment or housing, and grappling with food insecurity.

There are many ways to help veterans, and it’s not just about donating money (although that is certainly a good option if you’re able to).

“When I got out of the military, I had a job waiting for me,” Duso says. “But I woke up one morning and realized I didn’t know a lot of my kids’ friends’ parents or my neighbors. Most veterans will tell you that the hardest part is finding a new community to replace what they had in the military.”

To that end, Duso says volunteering is a great way to help veterans out. Maybe there’s a food bank that needs assistance, or you can donate your vehicle to a charity that will use the profits to help veterans. Duso says something as simple as seeking out the National Guard or other service members and befriending them and seeing if they need help goes a long way. And even a few simple words can be profoundly meaningful.

“When people say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ it’s wonderful,” he says. “I’m proud every time someone says it to me.”

Pendleton Whisky Military Edition

The Military Edition bottle from Pendleton Whisky is available now. The whisky inside was distilled and aged in Canada in oak barrels, then cut to proof in Oregon with glacier-fed spring water from Mt. Hood. It’s bottled at 80 proof and has notes of fruit, spice, vanilla, and honey on the palate. In addition to the Military Edition release, Pendleton Whisky is launching a program this summer called “Serve One Forward.” From May 20 to September 30, every time you purchase a cocktail made with Pendleton Whisky in participating bars, the brand will donate $1 to the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Not only that, but you’ll get $5 off your next bottle of Pendleton Whisky.

Thanks to the efforts of Pendleton Whisky and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, it’s easier than ever to support American veterans this summer and know that a little bit goes a very long way.