Missouri: Major Brands Launches Safe Home After Every Occasion™

Social Responsibility Program Aimed at Getting Missourians Home Safely-All Year Round

Source: Major Brands

November 22, 2016

Just in time for the biggest socializing night of the year, Thanksgiving Eve, Major Brands, Inc., Missouri’s largest family-owned distributor of premium spirits, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages is announcing its new year-round social responsibility program, Safe Home After Every Occasion.™ Safe Home encourages all of us to plan ahead and secure a safe ride home before consuming alcoholic beverages.

Safe Home is a 365 day a year social responsibility program designed to make planning a safe ride home before a night out a habit, just like crating the dog, turning off the lights and locking the door. The program’s mission is to take the next step in responsible consumption efforts and to ensure–when getting a ride has never been easier with ride services and downloadable apps–that no one goes out to socialize without a plan for a safe ride home. Partnering with its sponsors, Beam Suntory and 4 Hands Brewing Company, Major Brands will offer reminders of the importance of planning your ride home throughout the year with Safe Home Squad special events in Missouri bars and restaurants and free ride homes on Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eves.

Safe Home is launching in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield before the Thanksgiving holiday with kick off events at local bars and restaurants. To start the holiday partying season off smart, Safe Home After Every Occasion is offering free rides home on Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve this year through its Missouri driver service partners. DShofer, a St. Louis-based ride provider, will service customers in St. Louis and Kansas City, and Substitute Drivers will service customers in Springfield.

“The Safe Home program is about planning ahead to make it home safely and making that practice a habit,” Sue McCollum, Major Brands CEO, said. At Major Brands, we have long held that we build our business by building the communities we serve. The first step in that process is encouraging all in our community to get home safe after a night out. In our business, promoting responsible consumption is the most important thing we can do.”

To date, Major Brands has helped more than 65,000 Missourians get home safely after socializing through its partnership with designated driver service DShofer (formerly ScooterGuy). This partnership was recognized nationally in 2012 when Major Brands received one of the industry’s highest honors for its for social responsibility efforts.

The Safe Home program is made possible through the support of Major Brands’ supplier partners, Beam Suntory and 4 Hands Brewing Company. Beam Suntory is a global wine and spirits leader best known for its bourbon brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker’s Mark, and Knob Creek, as well as its own Drink Smart® initiative, which encourages safe celebrations and pre-planning. 4 Hands Brewing Company is a St. Louis-based craft brewery, known for its community involvement and great tasting innovative beers, including Incarnation, Chocolate Milk Stout and Contact High.

“No longer do you need to hand your keys to a friend. Instead, make a plan before you leave the house,” Kevin Lemp, founder of 4 Hands, said. “Despite the awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, there’s still more we can do to shrink those numbers. At 4 Hands, we want everyone to enjoy the holidays and get home safe.”

About Major Brands Premium Beverage Distributors

Major Brands is the largest Missouri-owned and operated distributor of premium wine, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, with offices in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas City, Springfield and St. Louis. It serves more than 9,000 customers throughout the state. It began operations in 1934 and remains family owned and operated.