Actor Ryan Reynolds is donating 30% of his Aviation Gin online sales to the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG), to support on-premise members affected by coronavirus shutdowns.
Reynolds announced on Twitter: “Until May 1st, for every bottle of Aviation ordered online, we’ll donate 30% of proceeds as a tip to your bartenders – who really miss you btw. Visit http://AviationGin.com/delivered #TipYourBartenders #StayHomeSaveLives.”
The gin brand, which Reynolds acquired in February 2018, also announced on its website that it has started a tab of $US15,000 for the USBG.
“We’re available at home – where we hope you are right now – but your bartenders miss you,” the website said. “So we’ve started a tab by donating $15K to the United States Bartender’s Guild and will be adding an additional 30% tip for every bottle delivered through May 1st. Stay home to help #FlattenTheCurve while we #TipYourBartenders.”
Aviation American Gin is priced at $33 in the US per 750ml.
The announcement follows Ryan Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively donating $US1 million to hunger relief organisations Feed America and Food Banks Canada on March 16.
“I think we can all agree, Covid-19 is an a–hole,” Reynolds wrote on his Twitter feed. “If you can help, visit http://FeedingAmerica.org and/or http://FoodBanksCanada.ca.”
“Covid-19 has brutally impacted older adults and low income families,” the “Deadpool” star also wrote. “Blake & I are donating $1 million to be split between Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. If you can give, these orgs need our help.”
Lively wrote on Instagram: “Though we must be distancing ourselves to protect those who don’t have the opportunity to self quarantine, we can stay connected. Remember the lonely and isolated. Facetime, Skype, make a video. Remember the love that can travel through all this.”
Feed America operates a network of food banks throughout the US, while Food Banks Canada does the same in Reynold’s native Canada.
Breaking Bad stars follow Reynolds’ lead
Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are following in Ryan Reynolds’ footsteps by donating 30% of the sale of each bottle of their spirit Dos Hombres to out-of-work bartenders.
The Breaking Bad stars wrote in a joint statement shared on both of their Instagram accounts: “Good idea @vancityreynolds, let’s all pitch in. @DosHombres Mezcal is on board with #tipyourbartenders. Now through May 1, 30% of all proceeds from online orders will benefit the US Bartender’s Guild. We encourage all other brands to do so as well.
“Whatever your choice of drink, let’s all raise a glass to our commitment to #flattenthecurve. Please drink responsibly with none of your closest friends … for now.”
