Neighborhood Heroes: Brian Christenson, Blinking Owl Distillery
Amid the catastrophic coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s necessary to take a step again and acknowledge the positives. Appreciating glimmers of sunshine evokes us to beat these darkish and difficult occasions collectively.
One beacon is selfless service. We have now seen the numerous acts, each small and huge, by organizations and people alike, working laborious to attenuate lasting injury. These aren’t solely people on the entrance strains—ER medical doctors, nurses, first responders—but additionally the nice Samaritans subsequent door, stopping this disaster from damaging their speedy communities. These are the grocery retailer stockers, the postal employees, the small enterprise house owners, and even those that are purchasing for their aged neighbors. These are the Neighborhood Heroes.
We tip our hats and lift our glasses to all the native heroes on the market—to honor these doing the thankless work now to assist their communities down the street to an unsure future forward.
On this first installment of Neighborhood Heroes, we’re highlighting the crew of Blinking Owl Distillery in Orange County, California. We not too long ago caught up with CEO Brian Christenson to search out out what he’s doing to assist.
Title: Brian Christenson
Title: Chief Government Owl, Blinking Owl Distillery
Location: Santa Ana, Calif.
Years on the Job: 5
MJ: How has your work modified within the final two weeks?
BRIAN CHRISTENSON: It’s drastically modified. Our whole logistics has converted from manufacturing of vodkas, aquavit, gin and whiskies to producing hand sanitizer full-time. This implies sourcing new substances, new bottles/packaging, new gear, and a brand new course of which requires loads of improvising and studying on the fly.
What’s the best problem at hand proper now?
Not with the ability to produce sufficient hand sanitizer to fulfill demand, which additionally means we are able to’t get it to as many individuals as we wish to.
Do you’re feeling at-risk or threatened?
I feel all of us really feel a bit in danger and uneasy from the unknown of this pandemic. These emotions don’t overpower the overwhelming response of gratitude and help we’re receiving each day from the neighborhood, who’re encouraging and thanking us each day. It actually propels us ahead.
Do you acknowledge any indicators of hope?
The overwhelming optimistic response from people who find themselves donating materials, money and time. It’s superb to see and expertise the help, kindness and willingness from individuals throughout who wish to contribute to our efforts.
Do you’re feeling that individuals ought to be working proper now? How can people assist in all this?
I should not have a great reply apart from attempt to do what the specialists ask for the higher good of us all. We are attempting to do what we are able to by making hand sanitizer, whereas additionally doing what we are able to to restrict the danger of publicity to our workers, prospects and neighborhood. Hopefully that is offering one thing of worth to everybody throughout these unusual, unsure occasions.
You’ll be able to donate to Blinking Owl’s initiatives right here.
Are you aware a Neighborhood Hero making a distinction on the entrance strains of your neighborhood? There are three simple methods to appoint somebody to be featured: 1. Nominate your Neighborhood Hero within the feedback under and easily tell us why they should be featured and the way we are able to contact them. 2. Ship us a Direct Message on Males’s Journal Instagram along with your nomination. 3. Put up their picture on Instagram utilizing #weoweyouadrink (both on Tales or Feed).
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