Consortium, fundraising e orts announced by local makers of hand-sanitizer

Allan Delmare, distiller (as in hundreds of gallons of hand-sanitizer of late) at Dida’s Distillery at Rappahannock Cellars, announces word this week “about our consortium and our associated charitable fundraising efforts.”

Rick Wasmund of Copper Fox Distillery in Sperryville and Williamsburg is also part of the group.

There are two focuses behind the consortium, Delmare states.

First, a charitable program to support veterans and rst responders: the consortium is organized by the disabled veteran-owned organization “CAI,” which operates the non-pro t Partners International Foundation’s program, “Helping the Heroes.” This is being advanced by Ian Anderson’s (Jethro Tull) participation.

“Their north American PR team launched the campaign today, so orders are starting to stream in (https://twitter.com/jethrotull/status/1280494313869324294?s=20) and we’re beginning to ll them,” he says.

Pro ts from the sales from the “Jethro Tull Hand Sanitizer” bottles go to bene t the charities.

Second, there is the Made in Virginia business program to produce and provide hand sanitizer to support the response to COVID-19.

“We want to be a ‘one stop shop’ for businesses and government agencies,” the program states. “We produce hand sanitizer with a minimum of 80 percent alcohol — most commercial and foreign products are 70 percent or below (which the CDC is lagging behind on matching the current WHO guidance for 80 percent or greater).”

The sanitizer is 100 percent “Made in Virginia” by small, local businesses supporting communities and keeping Virginians employed. Formulated, to boot, from 100 percent organic ethanol from U.S. producers in FDA registered facilities.

A portion of all proceeds from sales helps the group donate free hand sanitizer to medical, rst responders and others. Donations can be made to help the consortium continue to provide free hand sanitizer by texting the keyword “Heroes2” to 71777 or visitinghttps:// app.mobilecause.com/vf/Heroes/ team/HelpingtheHeroes . Main website for more information: www. vahandsanitizer.com