Journeyman Distillery’s Cocktails for a Cause raises money and spirits for Valparaiso community

Since opening in 2023, Journeyman Distillery’s American Factory has been motivated to bring something new to the table. This year, customers are invited to participate in the organization’s “Cocktails for a Cause” (CFAC) program. Cocktails for a Cause launched in June 2025, and has raised thousands of dollars for the Northwest Indiana community.

“Our owners, Bill and Johanna Welter, love to give back to the community,” said Kole Rushmore, content producer for Journeyman Distillery. “They wanted to find a way to give back to the amazing NWI community, like they do with Islay’s Barrel.”

In 2012, Journeyman Distillery founders Bill and Johanna Welter marked the birth of their daughter, Islay, by filling a 53-gallon barrel of rye whiskey to one day support her education. That gesture inspired Islay’s Barrel, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit extending opportunities to children in Southwest Michigan.

The foundation funds local students’ summer camp experiences and supports organizations such as Dunes Learning Center and Camp Eberhart, enriching lives throughout the community. Thanks to generous supporters, Islay’s Barrel continues to invest in kids and families in and around Three Oaks.

The CFAC program is a prime opportunity for Journeyman to engage with the community. Cocktails for a Cause donates $1 of each cocktail to charity, with the distillery matching every dollar donated.

“Similar to Three Oaks, the Valparaiso community has such a special place in our heart,” Rushmore said. “Supporting the community and allowing other organizations to flourish is a special feeling. We were able to raise $1,000 in May, we were just under $1,000 the following month, and our Lakeshore PAWS event helped us sell 56 cocktails alone.”

The program started strong in May by supporting the Hilltop Neighborhood House, which extended into Journeyman’s program launch to the public in June. Tri Kappa was the organization supported for July, with Lakeshore PAWS receiving the program’s support in August.

“August was National Dog Month, a great opportunity to support Lakeshore PAWS,” Rushmore said. “We have some cool things coming up for the holiday season as well; our goal is to make as big of an impact for each organization we support.”

Cocktails for a Cause runs through not just the remainder of this year – it’s booked with nonprofits to support through August 2026. While most donation programs might require a customer to go out of their way to help support a cause, the Cocktails for a Cause program allows people to make a difference any time they come in and place an order.

“It’s great for our customers because you’re able to sip good while doing good for this community,” Rushmore said. “It’s a feel-good experience all-around.”

While Cocktails for a Cause has already made a positive impact on three local organizations, customers can expect to see their donations supporting more organizations with a goal to create a better experience for the people of Northwest Indiana.

“Being able to help out the amazing organizations in our community is my favorite part of the program,” Rushmore said. “In the upcoming months, we get an opportunity to work with Indiana Dunes Tourism and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. It’s great to see so many organizations interested in getting involved with our Cocktails for a Cause program.”

As the Cocktails for a Cause program has already seen success at Journeyman Distillery’s American Factory, there is a high level of optimism for the program in the upcoming months.

“Northwest Indiana is in my blood, so it’s a special feeling to play a part in raising funds to support Hilltop Neighborhood House or Tri Kappa,” Rushmore said. “We had dogs getting adopted and finding their forever homes as a result of the program. Whether it was big or small, we’ve made a change.”

According to Rushmore, Journeyman Distillery’s American Factory plans to continue having monthly events that celebrate organizations of Northwest Indiana that are an active presence in the local communities.

For more information on Journeyman Distillery’s upcoming events, please visit journeyman.com.