Whiskey well-doers: Grand Island firefighters sell bottles of bourbon for charity fundraiser

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Grand Island firefighters’ union is selling a barrel of bourbon to raise money for charity.

Members of the group traveled to Iowa to hand-pick a limited-release whiskey from Lonely Oak Distillery.

Now, the union is selling it by the bottle.

“We’re hoping to get $3,500 to $4,000 just in profit that goes straight into our charitable foundations,” said Joe Burrows, the union president.

The group is also selling custom glasses and flight boards.

Burrows said it’s something they have had fun with over the past couple of years.

“For us, this was a great opportunity to get some of our members involved and is one of their interests, their passions,” he said. “And it’s able to make a huge impact in our community.”

The union gives the money to local charities. And they also help families who lose their homes to a fire.

“If somebody is out of their house because of a fire, we can donate a night or two in a hotel,” Burrows said.

One of the biggest campaigns the firefighters are part of is called Operation Warm. They give winter coats to elementary students.

In 2025, the union donated 120 coats to Grand Island Public Schools.

“Coats are not getting any cheaper, and the need is growing,” Burrows said. “But it’s great that we can find new, unique ways to meet that need.”

He said that in just 24 hours, between 30 and 40 bottles of bourbon have already been sold.

The fundraiser will keep going until the barrel runs dry.

Burrows said fundraisers like this prove how essential community support is for a good cause.

“We’re always going to be there for the citizens,” he said. “It’s nice when they’re there for us.”