The 12th annual “Spirit of Mount Vernon” reception and dinner held last week at George Washington’s historic Virginia home raised $275,000 for the new Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington and $75,000 for the Wounded Warriors Family Support Program. The event featured two of the first president’s favorite foods, cheese and ice cream, donated by 10 IDFA member companies.
The dinner, hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council, attracted more than 700 guests, including members of Congress, state legislators, embassy officials, government leaders, industry executives and the media. In addition to IDFA, the list of event co-sponsors includes the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, the American Bankers Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Restaurant Association and the National Retail Federation.
The evening began with ample offerings of fine cheeses followed by an elegant dinner and butterscotch bread pudding with Mount Vernon salted caramel whiskey foam accompanied by Blue Bell Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and poached pear chutney for dessert.
IDFA thanks the following members for their generous donations:
- Agropur Cooperative
- Arla Foods, Inc.
- Blue Bell Creameries L.P.
- Davisco Foods International, Inc.
- Glanbia Foods Inc.
- MCT Dairies, Inc.
- Pacific Cheese Co., Inc.
- Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
- Sargento Foods Inc.
- Tillamook County Creamery Association
The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, which officially opened last Friday, contains a wide array of resources covering George Washington, Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Colonial America, the American Revolution, the Confederation Years, slavery, domestic economies, the Early Republic, life in the eighteenth century, decorative arts and historic preservation. Take the video tour here.