Anheuser-Busch, Wholesalers and Area Consumers Help Raise Funds for St. Louis' Fallen Heroes

Donation of $82,667 to be made at Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses Event Benefiting BackStoppers

ST. LOUIS (Nov. 23, 2009) - The BackStoppers are pleased to announce a $82,667 donation from Anheuser-Busch, its area wholesalers and adult beer drinkers to support the police officers and firefighters fund.  The proceeds will be formally presented to the BackStoppers during a special ceremony at the annual Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses boxing matches on Wednesday, Nov. 25. 

The donation includes a $50,000 gift from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation and proceeds from a month-long promotion where area consumers made a donation to purchase a "Hometown Heroes" badge for display in bars and restaurants.  Local wholesalers also donated a portion of the proceeds from every 30-pack of Budweiser, Bud Light and Budweiser Select beer sold. 

"We are truly grateful for the continuing commitment of Anheuser-Busch and its area wholesalers," stated Ron Battelle, executive director of the BackStoppers.  "It is the efforts of companies like Anheuser-Busch and the generosity we receive from the community that enables us to be there for those left behind by our fallen police officers and firefighters."

Anheuser-Busch wholesalers participating in this program were Grey Eagle, Lohr Distributing, Krey Distributing,H.W. Herrell Distributing,Illinois Distributing and Donnewald Distributing. 

"We want to thank our area wholesalers, retailers and adult beer drinkers from across the St. Louis metropolitan area for participating in these programs to assist the BackStoppers organization," stated Keith Levy, vice president of marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc.  "At Anheuser-Busch, we are committed to providing ongoing support for the work being done by BackStoppers and their tireless efforts to assist the families of our fallen heroes."

Budweiser and Grey Eagle Distributing are sponsors of the 23rd annual Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses boxing matches to be held on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the Scottrade Center.  The event features male and female police officers and firefighters from areas in Missouri and Illinois to benefit BackStoppers.

Since the first Budweiser Guns 'N Hoses was held in 1987, more than $2.6 million has been raised for the BackStoppers which assists the families of police officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty.  When tragedy occurs, the group provides cash for immediate expenses and later returns to make arrangements to make mortgage and car payments, and other living and educational expenses.  For more information on Gun 'N Hoses, visit www.stlgunsandhoses.com.

About BackStoppers

Since late 1959, the BackStoppers have served the families of police officers and firefighters in the St. Louis area who have perished in the line of duty.  The BackStoppers have but one purpose - to ease the suffering and provide much needed financial assistance for the spouses and dependent children of these public servants who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

About Anheuser-Busch

For more than 100 years, Anheuser-Busch, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have reached out to groups in need, contributing to community organizations across the country and touching countless individual lives.  During the past decade alone, the company and its foundation have donated more than $370 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, the environment, economic development, disaster preparedness/relief and support of those who serve our country.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.