A total of $15,000 was given to the Ironton City Mission and Ironton Harvest for the Hungry through the Triple Crown Beverage Group’s Guy Spriggs Charitable Trust.

Established in 1966, the Guy Spriggs Charitable Trust is designed to focus on education and underprivileged children throughout the Tri-State funding scholarships at local colleges and universities and supporting charities in Ironton, Ashland and Huntington.

“The charitable trust is funded by local businesses,” Nick Williams, general manager of Triple Crown Beverage Group, said. “People that buy beer at their favorite retailer or bar are supporting the only beer distributer in Ironton (Spriggs Distributing Company), even though they may be buying a national brand.”

The Spriggs Distributing Company was Triple Crown Beverage Group’s first operation that began in 1934 by Guy Spriggs. Currently, Triple Crown is under third generation leadership owned by William Guy Spriggs and his brother R. Scott Spriggs.

Williams said ever since the company was started, community help and involvement is something that has remained a constant, although William Guy and R. Scott Spriggs never seek recognition for the work they do.

“I became the general manager in 2012, but started working for these men in 2005. I knew they were very charitable and involved in the community. They encourage us to volunteer time and over 70 percent of our employees do,” Williams said. “I had no idea how much they gave though until I became general manager. I was astonished at the generosity they have for the community.”

Ironton City Mission received $10,000, while $5,000 was given to the Harvest for the Hungry.

Just last year alone, the city mission supported 4,943 families including 6,837 adults and 5,457 children in addition to housing 3,714 homeless. Harvest for the Hungry, an interdenominational food pantry sponsored by First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Memorial United Methodist (Coal Grove), Quinn Chapel AME, Resurrection Hope United Methodist, St. Joseph Catholic, St. Lawrence Catholic and St. Paul Lutheran churches supported 2,382 senior citizens and 6,596 local children.

Besides Spriggs Distributing Company, Triple Crown Beverage Group also operates Eagle Distributing Company in Huntington, West Virginia, Mingo Distributing Company in Williamson, West Virginia and Eagle Distributing Company in Ashland, Kentucky.

“It makes me feel awesome knowing the company you work for helps the community,” Williams said. “I’m one of the only guys still there that’s an Ironton local. I grew up here, I’m raising a family here now and it’s important to me working for someone that gives so much back to the community. It’s awesome.”