Heritage Distilling Company receives national recognition for community engagement

Heritage Distilling Company is a recipient of the 2015 Corporations for Communities Award, which recognizes Washington businesses who have given back to their local communities.

Heritage was among the four Washington businesses — and one of two small businesses — to receive this national award and be presented with a National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award from Secretary of State Kim Wyman on Dec. 16.

“I’m so proud to honor these remarkable and deserving companies with this award,” Wyman said in a release. “It’s great to recognize some of our many caring corporations that make a difference.”

Jennifer Stiefel, president, and Justin Stiefel, CEO/master distiller, accepted the award from Wyman.

“(This award) is recognition that what we’re doing, people see value in it,” Justin Stiefel said.

Heritage was recognized for its partnerships and contributions to more than 80 nonprofit organizations in their local community.

The partnerships included things such as sponsoring events, donating merchandise to fundraising auctions and donating Heritage brand alcohol to be used by nonprofit event bars, Stiefel said.

The company also encourages employees to donate their time to charities by offering them a certain number of annual paid hours for volunteer work.

“We encourage employees to support the causes that are important to them,” Stiefel said.

He said that these partnerships, in addition to building the local community, also helps to put the Heritage brand in view of consumers who may not be familiar with their products.

Other recipients of the 2015 award include Port Angeles’ First Federal, Seattle’s GlassyBaby and Spokane’s Peddlers Pond, also a small business.

According to Stiefel, Heritage is entering its planning phase for 2016 and remain open to new community partnerships with nonprofits.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Heritage Distilling Company receives national recognition for community engagement."