NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- It's that time of year again when family and friends gather around tables across the country to give thanks and celebrate the past year. Unfortunately, not everyone can make it home for the holidays this year; particularly the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who are selflessly spending their holiday season sacrificing for others. The Guinness brand will be making sure these men and women - and the empty chairs they leave at tables around the nation - are not forgotten with the brand's Raise Your Glass to Heroes Day on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

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As Guinness announced on its social media channels on Thanksgiving Day, on Dec. 17, thousands of bars around the country will participate in the brand's efforts to raise money in support of those serving abroad. Patrons of legal drinking age are invited to post a photo of their Guinness pint on the Guinness US Facebook page or on Twitter tagging @GuinnessUS. The Guinness Gives Back Fund will donate $1 to Packages From Home - a charity that assembles and distributes care packages for those in the United States Armed Forces - for every photo posted, up to $25,000.

"The selfless men and women of the United States Armed Forces truly epitomize the values of the MADE OF MORE® campaign and we could not be happier to support them this holiday season," said Guinness Brand Director Doug Campbell. "As we spend time with loved ones in the coming weeks, it's important that we take time to thank those who make sacrifices day in and day out. Providing these heroes with some comfort items from home is the least we can do to show our gratitude and respect."

Guinness' Raise Your Glass to Heroes initiative comes less than one year after the brand debuted the national television spot, 'Empty Chair.' In the ad, a bartender and local community keep the spirit of a deployed serviceman present in the bar by pouring a pint of Guinness beer daily and setting it down in front of an empty chair to remain undisturbed until the day that he returns home to a hero's welcome.

To learn more about The Guinness Gives Back Fund and the Guinness brand's effort to support those who epitomize MADE OF MORE®, and/or to contribute to its fundraising efforts, please visit www.GuinnessGivesBack.com.

Guinness reminds everyone raising a glass in support of those in the United States Armed Forces and all of the men and women who do more for our communities every day, to please do so responsibly.

About Guinness(®
)The Guinness(®) brand enjoys a global reputation as a uniquely authentic beer and the best-selling stout in the world. Famous for its dark color, creamy head and unique surge and settle, this distinctive beer originated at the St. James's Gate brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Over 10 million glasses of Guinness beer are enjoyed every single day around the world, and 1.8 billion pints are sold every year. Guinness beer is available in well over 100 countries worldwide and is brewed in almost 50. Additional information about the Guinness brand can be found at www.guinness.com.

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J B, Buchanan's, Windsor and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.



    Media Contacts:

    Maeve Hagen, Taylor       Jim Sias, Diageo

    (212) 714-5743            (646) 223-2305

    mhagen@taylorstrategy.com jim.sias@diageo.com

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SOURCE Guinness & Co.