Presidents’ Day: Two Great American Companies
What we now call Presidents’ Day was originally established in 1885 to honor our nation’s first president, George Washington. The holiday eventually evolved to also honor Abraham Lincoln, and today, in many states, it honors the nation’s collective presidential leadership and enduring principles that have guided our nation throughout its history.
As we commemorate this day, we not only pay homage to the leaders who have shaped our country for good but also to all those who support our country. And we reaffirm our commitment to the core values and principles that define what it means to be an American.
Black Rifle Coffee Company
Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC) is all about supporting veterans and was founded in 2014 by former US Army Green Beret Evan Hafer. BRCC embodies the mission to not only serve coffee but also serve those who have given so much to our country, and the company’s workforce is made up of men and women who have served in the armed forces. In fact, BRCC has a goal to one day hire 10,000 veterans.
Black Rifle Coffee Company seeks to provide opportunities for veterans by helping them transition into civilian life and especially into entrepreneurial endeavors. BRCC creates a lot of social content, and we mean a lot, all for the purpose of inspiring and entertaining. They have a podcast, a vlog, a YouTube channel, and a magazine aptly named Coffee or Die.
BRCC also has a philanthropic arm, the BRCC Fund, which supports veterans, first responders, and even the great outdoors. Through the fund, veterans and service members can gain access to grants, training, and other resources.
BRCC partnered with the HunterSeven Foundation, which strives to fight cancer for veterans. With the UFC, BRCC pledged to match public donations to the foundation up to $150,000.
Black Rifle Coffee Company and its veteran workforce strive to honor the spirit of service and community and to honor some of America’s most important heroes.
Melaleuca: The Wellness Company
Melaleuca is a manufacturer and distributor of household wellness products, or consumer packaged goods. They sell hundreds of products, like supplements, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, essential oils, cosmetics, and, yes, even coffee. All their formulas and such are developed and made in the United States, and they have manufacturing facilities in Idaho (where they’re headquartered), Missouri, and Tennessee.
Like BRCC, Melaleuca is also proud to support America’s heroes—our law enforcement, our veterans and service members and their supportive families, and of course the Founding Fathers and all those who played a hand in our nation’s founding.
Melaleuca recognizes their selfless sacrifice and commitment to upholding the values that make our country great.
Every July, Melaleuca pays tribute to the courage and dedication of our nation’s heroes in a fireworks display called the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi River. According to Melaleuca, the 2023 Freedom Celebration featured more than 18,000 shells. That’s a very explosive and heartfelt expression of gratitude to the men and women who have answered the call of duty to defend the liberties that we all hold dear.
In the spring of 2023, Frank VanderSloot, Melaleuca’s founder and executive chairman, flew eight veterans out to Washington, D.C. on his private plane. Together, the eight veterans were given an all-expenses-paid trip exploring the sights, like memorials and museums. And when they got back home, they received a hero’s welcome with friends and family and even a band.
This Presidents’ Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to the timeless ideals of liberty, justice, and equality, which have defined our nation since its grand inception. We at Responsible Foods honor our nation’s heroes, including our first president, George Washington, who gave so much to ensure the birth of our nation.