A M E R I C A ’ S
W I N E
A N D
S P I R I T S
W H O L E S A L E R S
INVESTING IN COMMUNITIES
A biennial report on community engagement and philanthropy
by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
FROM THE CEO
Dear Friend:
For more than eight decades, America’s
wine and spirits wholesalers have been the
local marketing, distribution and logistics
experts who deliver to neighborhood bars,
restaurants and markets the widest variety of
beverages available anywhere in the
world—in a manner that guarantees product
safety, generates tax revenue, promotes responsible
consumption, and prevents underage drinking. America’s wine
and spirits wholesalers touch every community, in every state—
doing business face-to-face, with a handshake, one customer
at a time.
But, the work of wholesalers is too often behind the scenes.
Our new report tells an important part of this story: from day
one, wholesalers have been active and engaged in supporting
the communities they serve. By doing good by their fellow
citizens in their hometowns, they have set an example for what
truly “good business” looks like. It is a model the size and scope
of which is not often seen in other sectors.
ABOUT WSWA
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) is the
national trade association representing the wholesale tier of
the wine and spirits industry. It is dedicated to advancing the
interests and independence of wholesale distributors and
brokers of wine and spirits. Founded in 1943, WSWA has over 350 member
companies in 50 states and the District of Columbia, and its
members distribute more than 80 percent of all wines and
spirits sold at wholesale in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, DC, WSWA provides its
members with representation before Congress, executive
agencies, regulatory bodies, courts, and other alcohol
beverage industry organizations. In addition, WSWA offers
a wide range of services in the areas of public affairs,
education and social responsibility, as well as valuable
membership affinity programs. In every state, wholesalers and their employees (some 63,000
workers nationwide) give back in countless ways—at events
large and small, to a vast array of religious, cultural,
educational, veterans, civic and other community charities.
The companies highlighted in this report are just a small crosssection of the WSWA membership and the countless
organizations they assist, but the types of philanthropy and
community support they provide is representative of the good
work wholesalers perform every day.
This report tells their story, and we’re proud to share it with you.
Sincerely,
Learn more at www.wswa.org.
CRAIG WOLF
President and CEO
2•
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES:
AMERICA’S WINE AND SPIRITS WHOLESALERS
Building Brands, Growing Markets, Creating Jobs
From the fine wine and spirits in a restaurant to the craft cocktails
enjoyed at a backyard barbecue, the beverages that Americans
responsibly enjoy are delivered to restaurants, bars and retail
outlets by wine and spirits wholesalers.
Today, these family-owned American businesses employ more
than 63,000 workers who collectively earn some $5 billion
in wages each year working at 4,400 locations. Wholesalers
are a key part of the three-tier system of beverage alcohol
distribution put in place in the wake of Prohibition, which
guarantees product safety and integrity and generates more
than $55 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local
governments each year.
Wholesalers build brands, take new products to market for
suppliers, and are marketing, sales, logistics and warehousing
experts—supporting the industry by getting product from
thousands of suppliers around the world to local restaurants, bars
and markets.
In every state, in every community, regardless of age, size or
product line—the nation’s wine and spirits wholesalers are
committed to building relationships, investing in communities and
making a positive difference.
Here is just a glimpse of the many
philanthropic and community
service endeavors of wine and
spirits wholesalers across the
United States…
AFPD Foundation
A Holiday Salute
The ARC of Martin County, Inc.
African American Forum
63,000
WORKERS
The Aleethia Foundation
Alleghany Memorial Hospital
Alleghany Wellness Center
ALS Association
4,400
LOCATIONS
ALS Foundation for Life
Alzheimer’s Association
American Cancer Society
ALL 50 STATES
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
American Red Cross
Angel Ridge Animal Rescue
$5 BILLION IN WAGES
Angels in Disguise
•3
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY HEALTH
Anti-Defamation League
American Cancer Society
Appalachian State University
Athletics Foundation
Employees of Empire Merchants, a wine and spirits wholesaler
operating in New York, supported the American Cancer Society
Hope Lodge where they served dinner to patients, caregivers and
family members. The facility, one of 31 centers across the nation,
offers no-cost lodging to cancer patients and their caregivers so
that patients can solely focus on overcoming cancer.
Apron Inc.
The ARC of Marin County, Inc.
Art Museum at University of
Kentucky
Arts Center & Theater of
Schenectady
Arthritis Foundation
Empire Merchants’ team members also supported the America
Cancer Society Relay for Life, joining some 4 million others in 20
countries who come together to raise funds, generate awareness
and renew their commitments to fighting cancer.
Ashe Memorial Hospital
Autism Speaks
Avon Walk for Cancer
Barringer Day Care Center
Belmont Child Care Association
Bemos Bay Pops
Bennett College
Bethlehem Area Public Library
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Bike MS
BJ’s Restaurants Foundation
The Bobby Resciniti Helping Hearts
Foundation
Blessings in a Backpack
Boy’s Town of Italy, Inc.
Boys and Girls Clubs
Boy Scouts of America
Brenner Children’s Hospital
Bride’s Run Charity
4•
American Lung Association
For 15 years,
employees and
executives from
Premier Beverage
Company, a
Florida-based
wholesaler, have
lent their support
and company
resources as a title
sponsor of the Las
Olas Wine & Food
Festival, the largest
annual fundraising
event of the American Lung Association’s state chapter. This event
raises funds for research, patient advocacy, community outreach
and other important goals.
Autism Speaks
A team of 25 employees from Empire Merchants participated
in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks event to raise public
awareness and money for vital research to combat this
complex disorder.
Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center
for Brain Health
Southern Wine & Spirits, headquartered in Florida and
operating in 35 states, is an active supporter of Keep Memory
Alive, a nonprofit organization which raises awareness and
funds in support of the Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for
Brain Health in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded by Southern Wine
& Spirits of Nevada Senior Managing Director, Larry Ruvo, in
honor of his father, the center works on enhanced research of
and treatments for neurocognitive disorders—including ALS,
Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis.
With more than 30 clinical trials in its portfolio, the center is
among the largest Alzheimer’s clinical research programs in the
country.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Premier Beverage Company is a long-standing sponsor of
fundraising initiatives of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's South
Florida Chapter, including their popular annual golf tournament.
This organization’s mission is to cure cystic fibrosis and provide
all people with the disease the opportunity to lead full,
productive lives by funding research and drug development,
promoting individualized treatment, and ensuring access to
high-quality, specialized care.
Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
Bridges Outreach
Premier Beverage
Company is an
ongoing sponsor of
the Miami
Children’s Hospital
Foundation’s
signature event, the
Diamond Ball, as
well as other key
events, including
Wine, Women
and Shoes. This
foundation raises
funds to provide
advanced care
and support to
children facing a host of serious medical issues.
United Distributors of
Delaware was the key
sponsor of the charity's
annual fundraising golf
tournament which raised
over $100,000. Proceeds
help to cover the daily
expenses of providing a
safe, affordable “home
away from home” to
thousands of families each year who have seriously or
chronically ill children being treated at area hospitals.
Brighter Path Foundation
Associates of United Distributors of Delaware also helped
families and patients feel welcome by donating toys and items to
the Ronald McDonald House, and arts and crafts to the
Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, the primary
hospital for Ronald McDonald House families.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Building Bridges
Cancer Care, Inc.
Cardinal Hill Hospital
Carillon Brewing Company at
Carillon Park
Catholic Action Center
Catholic Charities
Center for Exceptional Children
Charleston Pride Festival, Inc.
The Children’s Center
Children’s Home of North Carolina
Mount Sinai Medical Center
Southern Wine & Spirits, has long maintained a connection to
a prominent hometown medical center. Thanks to the generous
support of the Chaplin Family, Mount Sinai has established The
Harvey R. Chaplin Family Stroke and Chest Pain Center.
Certified as a comprehensive stroke center, it abides by national
standards and guidelines that can greatly improve stroke case
outcomes. Mount Sinai is one of two hospitals in Miami-Dade
County and one of 16 in Florida to achieve this designation.
Broward Partnership for the
Homeless
University of Cincinnati Medical School
Children’s Hospital Foundation
A $5 million donation by Heidelberg Distributing, which
operates in Ohio and Kentucky, brought about the creation of the
Vontz Center for Molecular Studies, one of the most advanced
neuroscience and cancer research facilities in the U.S.
Children’s Medical Fund of
New York
Children’s Miracle Network
Cincinnati Medical School’s Vontz
Center for Molecular Studies
City Harvest
City of Miami Gardens
Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center
for Brain Health
Coastal Conservation Association
College Success Foundation
College Talk About Drinking
Columbia Museum of Art
•5
ENCOURAGING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Community Presbyterian Church
Working to Stop Underage Drinking
Legislative Support and Community Initiatives
Communities in Schools of
Forsyth Co.
More than a dozen
wholesalers partnered
with beverage suppliers
in markets around the
country to promote the
ongoing “We Don’t Serve
Teens” campaign.
Wholesaler executives and employees hosted press conferences
with elected officials, supplier and retailer partners and worked
to deploy bus and bus stop advertising, and also placed dozens
of high-profile billboard messages reminding the public of the
industry’s commitment to opposing underage drinking.
The wine and spirits industry is dedicated to promoting the legal,
safe and responsible consumption of beverage alcohol.
Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) and its local subsidiaries have
been an industry leader in the support of many legislative and
community initiatives that foster zero tolerance for underage
drinking and promote responsible sale and consumption,
including:
Compassionate Pug Rescue, Inc.
Coral Gables War Memorial
Youth Center
Cornell University
Court Appointed Special
Advocates (CASA)
Covenant Hospice Foundation
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
of America
Cure 4 the Kids Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Dads Appreciating Down
Syndrome
Dallas CASA
Dallas Hebrew Free Loan
Association
Dan Marino Foundation
Daniel Pitino Foundation
Dare to Care Food Bank
The Darrel Griffith Foundation
Davidson County CIS
Davie Community Foundation
Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh
Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis
Down & Derby
Ducks Unlimited Foundation
6•
Wholesalers also produced and distributed signage and
informational resources to thousands of retailers around the
country promoting the campaign’s message. In just one year,
more than 15,000 advertisements, truck wraps and other
campaign materials have been distributed directly to retailers
and prominently displayed to the public. In addition, hundreds of
thousands of point-of-sale materials have been disseminated over
the last decade.
The U.S. Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) We
Don't Serve Teens
program website and
online resources are
promoted by the
campaign.
• the Card Hard campaign to increase penalties for fake ID
usage and reward responsible sales practices;
• the production of, in partnership with the R Adams Cowley
Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland,
“Someone Like You,” a 10-minute video that can be used by
educators to discourage teen consumption of alcohol by
sharing the terrible (and preventable) consequences of poor
decision-making;
• the Responsible Retailing Initiative, in conjunction with BrownForman and the Responsible Retailing Forum, which provides
free mystery shoppers to on- and off-premise retail licensees
of beverage alcohol. Owners and managers receive
sophisticated and confidential feedback to identify
shortcomings and help retailers develop strong protocols
to eliminate the risk of unintentionally selling to minors;
• “Make Responsibility a Family Matter” and “Support Zero
Tolerance for Underage Drinking and Drunk Driving”
messages posted on delivery trucks throughout communities in
which CSG operates.
CARING FOR CHILDREN
Make-A-Wish® Foundation
Dallas CASA
East Bay Swag Baseball Club
Empire Merchants
organized and
sponsored the Make-AWish Wine & Wishes, a
tasting and auction in
New York City that has
raised over $6.3 million
in the last 12 years. As
a result, over 685
wishes were granted for
local children with lifethreatening medical
conditions.
Glazer’s was a corporate sponsor of Dallas CASA’s 2014
Champion of Children Award Dinner, one of the organization’s
landmark fundraisers. Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocates) is an a non-profit organization of volunteers who
advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children
under the protective care of the courts, so they will have safe,
permanent homes where they can thrive. Rob Swartz, Glazer's
COO, served as co-chair for the event which raised $600,000
to support the foundation’s mission.
Easter Seals
Vogel Alcove
Glazer's Distributors, based in Texas and operating in 14
states, provided a substantial monetary and product donation for
the 2014 Vogel Alcove Arts Performance Event. Bennett Glazer,
company Chairman and CEO, served as co-chair for the event
which raised over $3 million to support Vogel Alcove’s mission.
Vogel Alcove is the only free comprehensive early childhood
education program in Dallas whose primary focus is to provide
free childcare and case management for children and their
families residing at 18 local emergency shelters, domestic
violence shelters and housing programs.
Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas
Glazer’s has engaged in a number of prominent community,
cultural and philanthropic charitable activities since its founding
in 1909. Recently, Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas
honored company CEO Bennett Glazer for his lifetime of service
to the organization and the community at large.
Eithne & Paddy Fitzpatrick
Memorial Fund
Elon University Athletics
The Endeavor Foundation
Fairfield County Council on Aging
Fairfield County Food Bank
Fairfield County Foster
Child/Family Program
Family Services of the Triad
Family Talk About Drinking
FEAT of Louisville
First Congregation Sons of Israel
Florida Collegiate DECA
Florida High School Athletic
Association
Florida International University
Chaplin School of Hospitality &
Tourism Management
Folds of Honor Foundation
Friedrichs Ataxia Research Alliance
Friends of LV Metropolitan
Police Dept.
Gay Alliance of the
Genessee Valley
GI GO Fund
Gladys Golman/Faye Dallen
Education Fund
God’s Pantry Food Bank
Gonzmart Family Foundation
•7
ASSISTING PEOPLE IN NEED
Greenhill School
Greensboro Day School
Greensboro Symphony Guild
Guild of Someliers Education
Foundation
Guilford County Animal Shelter
Guilford County School System
Broward Partnership for the Homeless
th
Broward Partnership’s 5 Annual Chefs Helping the Homeless
raised more than $58,000 for this Florida-based organization.
The funds will provide nutritious meals for the more than 1,200
homeless men, women and families the organization serves each
year. Broward Partnership honored Bob Drinon, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Premier Beverage Company, in
recognition of the company’s generous support over the last five
years. Gurwin Jewish Geriatric
Foundation, Inc.
Natural Disaster Relief
In 2013, Colorado-based employees of the Southern Wine &
Spirits initiated a statewide, grassroots relief program to support
the devastating Colorado wildfire victims through the American
Red Cross. They volunteered countless hours and raised
thousands of dollars in donations, which were matched by the
the company's charitable foundation. Over the years, Southern
has marshalled its resources locally and nationally to contribute
money, volunteer time and bottled water during a number of
natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, Super Storm
Sandy, and the Haitian earthquake.
Habitat for Humanity
Harvest East Ends
Fairfield County Food Bank
Hawaii Police Athletic Foundation
The distribution center and executive offices of Ben Arnold
Sunbelt Beverage Company are located in Fairfield County,
South Carolina, one of the poorest counties in the state. This
wholesaler supports the Fairfield County Food Bank through
company food drives and cash donations.
Health Science Center Foundation
High Point Arts Council
High Point University Athletics
Hispanic Federation
Home for Our Troops
Habitat for Humanity
Humane Society
R&R Marketing has a long-standing tradition of helping many
charities in New Jersey, including Habitat for Humanity. This
nonprofit builds simple, affordable housing in partnership with
people in need. In addition, a team of 15 R&R Marketing
associates participated in a home-building project in Irvington,
New Jersey.
Imua Family Services
Industries for the Blind
Innocent Project
City Harvest
Isenberg School of Management—
Umass Amherst
Empire Merchants has been a sponsor of the annual Bid Against
Hunger event in New York City. In 2014, the sold-out event,
attended by nearly 1,000 guests and more than 70 chefs,
raised over $1.4 million that helped feed hungry New Yorkers
during the holidays. Rodney Strong Wine Estates pledged to
donate up to $15,000 and its New York distributor Empire
Merchants donated up to $10,000 to City Harvest.
James Beard Foundation
Jewish Children’s Museum
Jewish Family Service of
Greater Dallas
Jewish Federation of
Greater Dallas
8•
Holiday Toy and Food Drives
Many wholesalers and their local houses sponsor and
participate in a variety of community-based activities to help
those who are less fortunate. Empire Merchants (New York),
Premier Beverage Company (Florida) and Ben Arnold Sunbelt
Beverage Company (South Carolina) are just a few of the
wholesalers who participate in Toys for Tots, food drives,
“adoption” of foster families during the holidays, and other
worthy causes.
Rhode Island Community Food Bank
Meals on Wheels
Horizon Beverage
Group’s Rhode Island
division collected a total
of $17,000 and more
than 1,500 pounds of
food donations as part of
its annual golf outing.
This event brings together
wholesalers and suppliers
as well as other industry service providers to build relationships,
have a little fun—and give back to their community. This event
supported the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which
distributes food and grocery products to individuals and
organizations throughout the state.
United Distributors of Delaware, along with its associated
founding companies in Delaware, is a key supporter of Meals on
Wheels fundraising events, including Meals for Masters, Denim
and Diamonds, and Celebrity Chefs Brunch. To date, annual
fundraising events have raised over $5 million for meal delivery
programs in Delaware.
This vital program ensures that over 4,000 homebound seniors
across Delaware have nutritious hot meals delivered to their
homes every day. Last year alone, volunteers delivered over
710,000 meals to their elderly neighbors.
Team members from Ben Arnold Sunbelt Beverage Company
work with the Fairfield County Center on Aging and Meals on
Wheels in South Carolina to deliver hot meals and spend time
with the poor and elderly of the area who need support.
Bridges Outreach
Over the past 11 years, employees at R&R Marketing have
donated their personal time and resources to help feed and
clothe the homeless in New York City through this non-profit
organization. Each year, Bridges Outreach delivers 100,000
meals, seasonal clothing, and necessities to homeless in
New York and New Jersey without question and with genuine
respect. R&R also makes annual donations to Bridges and is
a corporate sponsor.
Jimmy Mancbach Scholarship
Foundation
John F. Kennedy Library
Foundation
Junior Achievement
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Keep Memory Alive—
Cleveland Clinic
Kentucky School for the Blind
Charitable Foundation
Kentucky & Southern Indiana
Stroke Association
Kids in Distress
Kiwanis Club
Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp
Legacy Senior Communities
Legal Aid Society
Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation
Levantando Chile
Lexington Dream Foundation
Lexington Fairness
Living Arts & Science Center
Lupe Contreras Scholarship
Foundation
Food Bank for New York City and
Share Our Strength
The Maddy Institute
For the past seven years, Southern Wine & Spirits has
sponsored the Food Network New York City Wine & Food
Festival. All the proceeds go to supporting the Food Bank of
New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry
campaign. To date, $8.5 million has been raised to help
fight hunger.
March of Dimes
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Massachusetts Restaurant
Association Education
Foundation
Mater Lakes Academy
•9
SUPPORTING EDUCATION
Mel’s BGC Corp.
Step Up for Students
Scholarships
Meals on Wheels
This program provides K-12 scholarships and related support to
give economically disadvantaged families in Florida the freedom
to choose the best learning options for their children.
High school students who are children of Heidelberg
Distributing associates are eligible for higher-education
scholarships in each of the company’s divisions. Heidelberg has
awarded dozens of college scholarships based on what students
contribute as volunteers in their local communities rather than on
scholastic achievement.
Mental Health Association
of Forsyth
Mercy Academy
Met Council
Mexican Patriot Committee
WSWA Educational Foundation, the charitable arm of WSWA,
raises funds from members and, each year, offers more than two
dozen scholarships to help member company employees’ family
members pay for higher education. The competitive awards are
offered based on an assessment of the application elements by
a panel of independent judges.
MHYL Foundation, Inc.
Miami Children’s Hospital
Foundation
The Miami Foundation
Minnesota Military Family
Foundation
Mount Sinai Medical Center
Moving Mountains Adaptive
Program
In the last five years, Southern Wine & Spirits of America has
redirected $90 million in tax credit to fund more than 18,000
Step Up for Students scholarships across Florida.
MS Center
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society
Since 2012, Republic National Distributing Company, which
is based in Texas and operates in 21 states, has contributed
$45 million dollars to this important program.
Nathan S. Arenson Fund/UPCI
NAACP
The University of Miami—School of Law
National Wild Turkey Foundation
In 2004, Southern Wine & Spirits established the Chaplin
Family Scholarship at University of Miami School of Law.
Awarded every three years based on merit and interest in
business transactional work, the scholarship covers tuition for the
full three years of study. Southern Wine & Spirits also is
committed to a scholarship matching program—matching any
scholarship donation dollar-for-dollar, as well as funding for a
professorship on commercial transactions and an alcohol
beverage law program.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Natural Science Center
Nevada Military Support Alliance
North Carolina Opera
North Carolina State Troopers
Association
North Carolina Wildlife Habitat
Foundation
10 •
One of the ways WSWA and its
member companies help support
the wholesaler family is through
the WSWA Educational
Foundation College Scholarship
Program. In its fifth year, the
WSWA Educational Foundation
has offered $1,000 and $2,500
scholarships to more than 75
students. In the years ahead, the
level of support and number of recipients will be expanded to
accommodate greater need and provide increased benefit to
wholesaler families.
The Republic National Distributing Company, through its
foundation, runs an established scholarship program benefiting
its associates’ qualifying dependents. In 2013 alone, it awarded
494 scholarships totaling $988,000. In addition, the
company's foundation has made significant donations to the
College Success Foundation. This organization’s “approach is to
intervene early, providing students and parents with the
inspiration, incentives, mentoring and financial supports they
need to make a college degree possible.”
R&R Marketing believes advanced education is critical to the
success of our future generations. Over the past 10 years, R&R
has given 200 scholarships to assist our employees' children pay
for college and graduate school.
Florida International University (FIU) Chaplin
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Named after Harvey Chaplin, Chairman of Southern Wine &
Spirits, this school provides cutting-edge management education
for students who intend to pursue careers in the hospitality and
tourism industries.
Southern Wine & Spirits is also a founding sponsor and host of
the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SoBe), the proceeds of
which are donated to the school. To date, the festival has raised
$20 million for the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism
Management. Its state-of-the-art facilities include the Southern
Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, which offers the
latest technology for beverage tasting and analysis, and the Jay
W. Weiss Wine & Spirits Laboratory, named in honor of one of
Southern’s founders.
Massachusetts Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation
Horizon Beverage Group provided a landmark $80,000
commitment to develop future culinary leaders. The
Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
(MRAEF) ProStart program is offered to over 1,000 students on a
daily basis. In addition, MRAEF also awards scholarships to high
school and undergraduate students pursuing careers in the
restaurant and foodservice industry.
North Carolina Zoo
Northhampton Community
College Foundation
The Ohio State University
Alumni Association
Old Friends, Inc.
Operation Homefront
Operation Ride Home
Operation Smile
Our Lady of Lakes Catholic Church
Our Lady of Lourdes Academy
Our Lady of Mercy
The Painted Turtle
Palm Beach India Association
Pandora Productions
Paramount Arts Center
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Philadelphia’s Children First Fund
Push America
Quail Unlimited
Recycling Programs
Renaissance Charter School North
Broward Academy
Rhode Island Community
Food Bank
Romanza-St. Augustine, Inc.
Ronald McDonald House
Rotary Club
SADD
• 11
PROVIDING FOR MILITARY & VETERANS
Sacred Heart Hospital
A Holiday Salute
Operation Homefront
Sacred Heart University
The local ABC affiliate in Hampton Roads, Virginia aired “A
Holiday Salute” which featured personal video messages from
deployed troops. This 30-minute program honored our military
members. As a major sponsor of this program, Associated
Distributors provided a 30-second PSA that ran during
primetime the entire month of December.
Operation Homefront provides emergency and financial
assistance to more than 750,000 service men, women and
wounded warriors nationwide.
Safe & Sober Prom Night
The Safeway Foundation
St. Bernard Project
St. Helena Hospital Foundation
St. Patrick’s Church
Salute Inc.
Salvation Army
In early 2014, Wirtz Beverage Group’s Wirtz for Warriors
program contributed over $80,000 to this cause. Employees
raised money through personal donations, local fundraising
events and company awareness days in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Minnesota and Nevada, as well as by a company donation.
Southern Wine & Spirits has supported military men and
women, their families and veterans through many programs,
including Operation Homefront. Since 2010, Southern has
delivered more than 900 meals to military families in Kentucky.
San Antonio Livestock Exhibition
SCAN
SCS Foundation
Seaside Summer Concert Series
USO of Illinois Bike Build
Share Our Strength
The Shelton School
Shepherd’s Center
Shriners Club
Sickle Cell Disease Association
Siegel Jewish Community Center
Sierra Nevada College
Silver Shores Elementary
SmileTrain
South Beach Food & Wine Festival
South Lake Presbyterian Church
Special Olympics
Step Up for Students
Stew Leonard Children's Charities
Street Smart
12 •
Jobs for Veterans
Military personnel develop skills that translate well to the
wholesale distribution industry—organization, negotiation,
discipline, following direction, problem-solving, teamwork and
leadership. Wirtz Beverage Group, headquartered in Illinois,
values these skills and sees hiring veterans as a way to
strengthen their company while giving back to these heroes and
their families. Wirtz is committed to hiring veterans, actively
recruits through a variety of national and local initiatives, and is
expanding its efforts to hire more veterans.
Republic National Distributing Company also engages in a
military recruitment strategy targeting talent resources at recruiting
events and on military job boards, and is an active participant in
Transition Assistance Program (TAP) that helps transitioning service
members build essential interviewing and resume-building skills.
A total of 75 volunteer employees from Wirtz Beverage Group
coordinated with the USO to assemble bikes that were given to
children of soldiers deployed overseas as a surprise to brighten
their spring. Volunteers personally delivered the bikes to families
on Armed Services Day.
Operation Ride Home and Cell Phones
for Soldiers
In addition to raising nearly $16,000 from campaigns in
12 states for Operation Homefront, Republic National
Distributing Company also contributed $10,000 to Operation
Ride Home to support military men and women returning home
for the holidays. In addition, Republic National Distributing
Company's locations collected 2,196 phones so that service
members could contact their families free of charge.
Wounded Warriors
Surry Community College
The Wirtz for Warriors program at Wirtz Beverage Group was
organized and led by the Wirtz Military Affinity Group.
This group is comprised of veteran employees who organize
initiatives to support military personnel and veterans companywide through educating employees, hiring veterans, volunteerism
and philanthropic endeavors, including Wounded Warriors and
many others non-profit organizations.
Susan G. Komen
Tampa Crossroads, Inc.
Team Red, White and Blue, Inc.
Temple Emanu-El
Temple Kol Ami Emanuel-El
Terry Farrell Scholarship Fund
Most recently, Wirtz for Warriors raised $65,000 from October
to December 2014 to support U.S. military personnel. This
campaign provided funds to four separate military and veteran
organizations: Salute Inc. in Illinois, the Minnesota Military
Family Foundation, the USO of Wisconsin, and the Nevada
Military Support Alliance. The organizations were selected by
Wirtz Beverage Group employees in each state, bringing the
annual fundraising campaign even closer to home.
Thomasville Medical Center
Tiger Town Pig Festival, Inc.
Toys for Tots
Transition Assistance Program
Twin City Santa
Twin City Track Club
UNC-G Athletics
UJA Federation of New York
Union City Police Dept.
United Arts Council
United Cerebral Palsy
USO
United Way
University of the Incarnate Word
University of Cincinnati
Medical School
University of Houston/Conrad N.
Hilton College
University of Kentucky
Alumni Association
University of Las Vegas/RAF
University of Miami School of Law
• 13
SUPPORTING CULTURAL RESOURCES
University of Miami
Project Newborn
University of Rochester—Wilmont
Cancer Center
Vernon Carey Foundation
Versailles Montessori School
Victory Junction
Vogel Alcove
Volunteer Doctors Care Upper
Bucks Clinic
Volunteers in Service to the Elderly
Wake Forest University Athletics
We Don’t Serve Teens
Wiezmann Institute of Science
Winston-Salem Hispanic League
Wirtz for Warriors
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Historic Museum
As the foundation's chair for
2014, Robert Epstein, CoChairman of Horizon
Beverage Group, donated his
time, energy and leadership,
and was instrumental in
achieving the $2 million
fundraising goal in 2014. The
foundation’s annual May
Dinner provides important
crucial financial support to the
John F. Kennedy Presidential
Library and Museum. These
unrestricted funds underwrite
the JFK Library’s educational
programming, which serves 25,000 students a year—free of
charge—through guided museum visits, multi-school programs,
and youth participation in the Kennedy Library Forum series, as
well as arts and cultural programming.
Heidelberg Distributing is the lead sponsor of the Carillon
Brewing Company at Carillon Park in Dayton, Ohio, which
opened in August, 2014. It is the nation’s only historic museum
producing and selling beer and wine using tools and techniques
dating back to 1850. For this and other contributions,
Heidelberg Distributing received Dayton Business Journal’s Dayton
Community Supporter of the Year Award in 2014.
Wounded Warrior Project
WSWA Educational Foundation
Zoobilation
Xtreme Couture GI Foundation
More than 5,000 guests attended the 2014 Zoobilation, the
Indianapolis Zoo’s annual black-tie fundraiser. Glazer’s Indiana
was the Specialty Bar Sponsor for the evening, providing an
array of tasty cocktails for more than 50 private Corporate Den
bars, half a dozen public bars and five popular “theme” bars, as
guests mingled around the zoo grounds. This record-breaking
event raised nearly $2 million. The Indianapolis Zoo helps care
for and feed more than 2,000 animals and 16,000 plant
specimens on the Zoo’s grounds, and helps support international
level conservation and research efforts.
Yearlings, Inc.
YMCA
Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Zoobilation
14 •
WSWA LEADERSHIP
Alan Dreeben
Chairman of the Board
Republic National Distributing Company
San Antonio, Texas
Barkley Stuart
Secretary
Glazer’s Distributors
Dallas, Texas
Douglas Hertz
Immediate Past Chairman
United Distributors
Smyrna, Ga.
Sydney Ross
Treasurer
Great Lakes Wine & Spirits
Highland Park, Mich.
Brien Fox
Vice Chairman
Henry A. Fox Sales Company
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Wayne Chaplin
Large Member Caucus Rep.
to the Executive Committee
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Miami, Fla.
Doug Epstein
Senior Vice President
Horizon Beverage Group
Norton, Mass.
Richard Leventhal
Large Member Caucus Rep.
to the Executive Committee
Fedway Associates
Basking Ridge, N.J.
Carmine Martignetti
Vice President
Martignetti Companies
Norwood, Mass.
• 15
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America
805 15th St., NW
Suite 430
Washington, DC 20005
202.371.9792
www.wswa.org