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Distilled hope: Sugarlands Distillery donates 10 gallons of fresh hand sanitizer to first responders

The distillery made its hand sanitizer according to Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization guidelines, with more than 60 percent alcohol.

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — As cities and states scramble to find equipment for the fight against COVID-19, a local distillery is stepping up to supply first responders with 10 gallons of freshly made hand sanitizer.

Sugarlands Distillery Company is known for making moonshine and whiskey. After learning that Tennessee was looking for equipment to help keep people safe on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, they switched gears and started making hand sanitizer. 

This week, they gave 10 gallons of it to Priority Ambulance, an EMT service that employs more 500 first responders. The hand sanitizer will be used when antibacterial soap and water aren't available for employees, such as in ambulances.

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Tennessee officials asked people for donations of personal protective equipment to help supply the fight against COVID-19, including hand sanitizer. The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

The FDA requires even higher alcohol content. Sugarlands Distillery said that their hand sanitizer meets the FDA's guidelines.

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Sugarlands Distillery Company said it will continue donating sanitizer to organizations in East Tennessee. The company is expecting an additional shipment of alcohol to continue making hand sanitizer.

“Using our time to make something that helps our first responders when we would otherwise be sitting on the sidelines is the least we can do in this time of need," Sugarlands' Head Distiller, Greg Eidam, said in a press release.

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