I. Southern Wine & Spirits of Northern California: Peninsula Outreach Programs, Inc.
Under the direction of Ted Simpkins, Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Southern Wine & Spirits of California, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the Company is a dedicated contributor to dozens of charitable causes throughout the state. Mr. Simpkins said: “Here at Southern, giving back to the community is something our employees and executives do on a daily basis, and our dedication to being a socially responsible corporate citizen is equally strong. For example, in our Northern California Division, the annual Charity Golf Tournament is a good example of our Company’s desire to help out at the local level, with proceeds benefiting POPS, the Peninsula Outreach Programs, Inc. group.”
Jack Brennan, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Southern Wine & Spirits of California, said, “With the help of our suppliers and vendors, we raise money for this private organization which serves the needs of children with motor disabilities throughout California and the nation.” Each year Southern Wine & Spirits of California tries to exceed their donation from the previous year.
Mr. Brennan added: “The annual golf event is a sell out every year; we take over two courses at the Silverado Country Club in Napa, and more than 250 golfers compete, with all the proceeds earmarked for POPS.” According to Mr. Brennan, POPS is an established non-profit organization that provides a variety of resources, assistance and needed advocacy services for and on behalf of children with disabilities. Peninsula Outreach Programs, Inc. is based in Redwood City, California. Mr. Brennan said, “At our 12th Annual Golf Charity Invitational, we were able to exceed last year’s donation of $50,000; we are proud that we raised $67,000 in 2007.”
Mr. Simpkins said, “I am extremely grateful for our employees’ generosity and commitment to many worthy non-profit organizations throughout the state, and I also would like to thank our parent company, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. for their support of all our charitable efforts in California.”
II. Southern Wine & Spirits of Southern California: Children’s Golf Classic
According to Ted Simpkins, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Southern Wine & Spirits of California, a division of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the Company is an active supporter of numerous social responsibility, educational and charitable programs throughout the state. Mr. Simpkins said, “I am especially proud of our participation in the Children’s Golf Classic in partnership with the Friends of Costco Guild.” This partnership raises funds for a variety of local groups whose efforts focus on helping children and addressing children’s’ needs.
Jack Brennan, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Southern Wine & Spirits of California, said that in addition to the division’s support of the Friends of Costco fundraiser, among the many social services, medical and community-based charitable groups supported by Southern Wine & Spirits of Southern California are: the Marriott Desert Charities, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the California Organization of Police & Sheriffs.
III. Southern Wine & Spirits of Northern and Southern California Support of Other Charitable Organizations
Southern Wine & Spirits of California also contributes to the Wounded Warriors Project, which gives money to wounded veterans, the Hong Kong Schools Alumni Scholarship Foundation, the Cheesecake Factory Charitable Foundation, and Nathan S. Arenson Fund for Pancreatic Research, according to Mr. Simpkins.
According to Mr. Brennan, Southern Wine & Spirits of Northern California also supports the Boys and Girls Town of Italy. He said, “We annually support their cause which is an American charity in service to the Girls and Boys of many nations without distinction as to race or creed,” adding “Another annual charity contribution that we make goes to Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. The Ronald McDonald House at Stanford creates a home-away-from-home and supportive community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving specialized treatment at local hospitals.”
In addition, Southern Wine & Spirits of California has donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society “MS 150 Bike Tour”, the American Cancer Society, and assorted products to the La Casita Verde School for their annual fundraising event, said Mr. Brennan, who added that when and where appropriate the company donates products to help support fundraising events or dinners which are held annually by many deserving non-profit groups across the state.