“There were a lot of mom tears shed,” says Jack Daniel’s Marsha Manley as she describes the project she and other distillery employees recently completed to make Christmas 2020 extra special for some Moore County children. They collaborated with Moore County Stocking Stuffers – Lynchburg’s Angel Tree programs – to deliver a “party in a bag” to 146 local kids.

The collaboration is part of Jack Daniel Distillery’s participation in the BF 150 Projects, an intracompany celebration of Brown-Forman’s 150 years in business. Founded in 1870 by Gavin Brown, the company challenged it’s employees across all brands to celebrate by doing good in their communities.

Manley says their idea centered around giving local kids everything they’d need to make Christmas an “experience” in their household including a board game, card game, popcorn, candy, and other snacks. The group also filled individual bags with a pullover or sweatshirt and a gift item specific to the child’s age group like a talking stuffed animal or Bath and Body Works set. Each family also received a Little Caesars gift card appropriate to the size of their family.

Seven local employees including Manley, Tara Parks, Diane Potts, Kim McWhirter, Mary Beth Dickens, Laura Zimbrick, and Janelle Glenn spent several days playing Santa both online and in area stores.

“Several of us left Lynchburg at 9 a.m. one day and didn’t get back until nearly 7 p.m.,” says Manley. “We went back the next day for two more buggies full and spent countless hours online shopping.”

Manley says it was time well spent.

“It was really heartwarming to give back to children and families right here in Moore County,” Manley says. “We all teared up knowing all that work would transform into a child’s smile.” •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}