Ross & Squibb Distillery and its Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Rye Whiskey brands are partnering with NFL legend Chris Long and his Foundation’s Waterboys Initiative to bring a lasting source of clean, safe water to a community of 1,600 in arid southern Kenya.
Sitting atop the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, Ross & Squibb Distillery has benefitted from the abundant clean water the aquifer has provided since 1847. Now, Indiana’s oldest distillery wants to show appreciation for this vital resource by helping bring clean water and the opportunities that come with it to the community of Oloile in Kenya.
The project consists of a deep borehole well, elevated water storage and a distribution system to serve the residents of Oloile. The Chris Long Foundation’s Kenya implementing partner, Well Aware, manages drilling and construction and expects the new water system to be operational in August.
The new water system will change lives. With annual rainfall of less than 3.5 inches and a recent drought lasting up to two years, the Oloile community has been forced to consume contaminated water from seasonal rivers and untreated rainwater harvested from roofs or to drink water from hand-dug holes. Accessing fresh, clean water will alleviate cases of water-borne disease and free up residents to grow small gardens or spend time on income-generating activities rather than searching for drinking water.
“We are honored to work with Waterboys and Well Aware to bring life-sustaining water to the Oloile community,” said Shanae Randolph, Marketing Director-Brands for MGP’s Luxco Branded Spirits. “We’ve always been grateful for the clean water we have in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and this partnership helps us share that necessity for a far more important cause.”
Chris Long, two-time Super Bowl Champion and founder of the Waterboys Initiative said Ross & Squibb was instrumental in making the Oloile project a reality. “Their funding and dedication to this cause help us extend our impact, offering a lifeline to communities in dire need of clean water.”
