Jack Daniel's Operation Ride Home

Holiday Travel Assistance for Junior Enlisted Military Families

Military families are frequently stationed far from their loved ones, which can create feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially during the holidays. That’s why it’s so important to send junior enlisted military families home for the holidays — to celebrate, reconnect with family and friends, and feel rejuvenated.

By offering financial assistance, ASYMCA and Jack Daniel’s are making travel home possible for E1-E5 service members, their spouses and dependent children ages 0-18 who are most in need.

About Operation Ride Home

Program Overview

Reconnecting military families during the holidays is one small way Operation Ride Home is strengthening military families. Operation Ride Home is open to active duty E1-E5 personnel, both single and married, and their dependent children ages 0-18 who are stationed at an installation served by one of ASYMCA’s 13 local branches. Each ASYMCA branch reviews eligible applications to identify those in need of financial assistance who might not otherwise financially be able to travel home.

How it works

Travel assistance of up to $500 for one round-trip airline ticket or a $125 prepaid gift card for vehicle travel per eligible family member.
Service member, military spouse or military official may submit an application.
If the service member is traveling, a signed Leave Dates Approval Form is required to include as part of the application process.
Travel destinations must originate in the U.S. and be at least 350 miles from the service member’s duty station.

Who is eligible

E1-E5 Active Duty or Reserve military personnel, their spouse, and dependent children ages 0-18.
Spouse and children must travel with their service member unless they are deployed or on TDY at the time of travel.
Other relatives, including parents, grandparents and siblings, are not eligible to receive assistance.

Program Application Period

The application period for Operation Ride Home is closed.
If selected, applicants may travel November 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025.

Applicant Information

The 2024 application process is closed, and we are no longer accepting applications for Operation Ride Home. Our Branches are busy contacting applicants with status updates and coordinating travel arrangements. Please contact your local ASYMCA Branch with any questions.

How to Help

Generous annual donations from Jack Daniel’s, partner organizations, and donors like you make this program possible. You can help make holidays brighter for a military family by making a gift, fundraising, or participating in one of the fundraisers hosted by the ASYMCA or Jack Daniels!

Jack Daniel's Barrel Trees

Purchase raw oak whiskey barrels from select Jack Daniel’s Barrel Trees across the United States! Locations are limited and restrictions apply. Follow the link for more info.

Purchase Barrels

Start a Fundraiser

Whether it’s making a gift or starting a fundraiser large or small, your contribution can help send more service members and military families home for the holidays.

Start Fundraising

Official Partner of Operation Ride Home

Since Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home program began in 2011, the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and the Armed Services YMCA have helped 1,438 individual junior-enlisted service members, spouses and their children travel home for the holidays.

Official Airlines of Operation Ride Home

American Airlines is proud to be the official airline of Jack Daniel’s Operation Ride Home, helping to bring military families fly home and reconnect them with their loved ones over the holidays.

Additional Funding Provided By

SUPPORT THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME

Each year, the number of military families asking for help to get home for the holidays exceeds the funding available. You can close this gap and help ensure no military family is left behind during the holidays.

MAKE A GIFT OR FUNDRAISE