SJ Sharkie takes center stage Nov. 27 after flipping the switch to light up a six-tier barrel tree at the north entrance of the SAP Center in San Jose. Barrels from the tree are set to be auctioned off to support Operation Ride Home, a program sponsored by Jack Daniel Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA that helps pay travel expenses for enlisted service members from all over the country to get home for the holidays. (Photo by Anne Gelhaus)
The oak barrels stacked outside the SAP Center in downtown San Jose were once used to age Tennessee whiskey, but they’ve been repurposed to help enlisted service members from all over the country make it home for the holidays.
The six-tier barrel tree at SAP’s north entrance is one of 11 constructed in various U.S. cities by Jack Daniel Distillery. The barrels from the San Jose tree and others are being auctioned off to support Operation Ride Home.
Through the program, Jack Daniel’s and the Armed Services YMCA have helped send over 12,000 service members and their families home–including this year’s travelers–while raising more than $2.5 million in donations. Men and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been assisted with travel to all 50 states.
The San Jose Sharks are working with local veteran artists to create custom wraps for a select number of barrels. These barrels will be auctioned off by the Sharks Foundation next spring. The Sharks, in partnership with Jack Daniel’s, is also holding a sweepstakes where three winners will receive Sharks tickets, a swag bag and a barrel.
For now, the barrel tree is lit up for the holidays for Sharks fans and attendees of other SAP Center events to enjoy. SJ Sharkie flipped the switch at a Nov. 27 event before the Sharks’ 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals.
Jack Daniel Distillery built its first 26-foot tall tree from 140 American white oak whiskey barrels in 2011 to bring holiday cheer to residents of its hometown in Lynchburg, TN. In addition to Lynchburg and San Jose, the replicas built this year are located in Nashville, TN; Tampa, FL; Miami, FL; Savannah, GA; San Antonio, TX; Detroit, Mich.; Atlantic City, NJ; New York City; Washington D.C.; and Milwaukee, WI.
To bid on a barrel, visit www.operationridehome.com.
Originally published at Anne Gelhaus