Boulevard sales will aid Joplin relief

Boulevard Brewing Co. announced it will donate a portion of its September sales in Missouri to aid victims of the devastating tornado that struck nearby Joplin on May 22.

For every barrel (31 gallons) of Boulevard beer sold in Missouri during the month of September, the company will contribute $1 to the American Red Cross to aid in its ongoing Joplin relief efforts. Irrespective of the Boulevard brand or package — a six-pack, a Smokestack bottle, or a pint at any Missouri bar or restaurant — money will be contributed to the humanitarian organization.

“We haven’t forgotten,” said John McDonald, Boulevard founder and president. “And with 40 percent of our sales taking place in the state, we hope to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the long road of restoration that lies ahead, helping our fellow Missourians rebuild their homes, their neighborhoods, and their lives.”

The tornado that destroyed one-third of Joplin was one of the worst natural disasters in Missouri history. It claimed 134 lives and damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 buildings. Analysts estimate the total cost of the disaster could top $3 billion.