Columbia Distributing Raises Over $350,000 for Local Nonprofits

KENT, Washington  – August 26, 2024 – Columbia Distributing, the largest Total Beverage distributor in the Pacific Northwest, announced today that the 13th Annual Scott DeMartine Memorial Charity Golf Tournament raised over $350,000. The funds will be donated to four charities: The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska (RMHC), the Washington State division of the American Cancer Society, StolenYouth, and Parrot Creek Child and Family Services.

In honor of the late Scott DeMartine, a beloved Columbia and industry leader, the tournament celebrates DeMartine’s generous spirit with a fun and fundraising-filled day at Washington National Golf Club. Over its lifetime, the tournament, combined with an internal company auction, has raised more than $1 million dollars. Over half of all proceeds have been donated to RMHC.

Prior to tee-off, charity representatives spoke to the players, expressing their gratitude for the annual event. “Your contributions have had a profound impact on our ability to provide housing and essential services during a family’s greatest time of need,” said Vanessa Kirk-Briley, Director of Corporate and Community Engagement at RMHC. “As we celebrate 40 years serving families at the Seattle House, we are grateful for partners like Columbia Distributing, who play a vital role in helping us remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children require medical care away from home.”

“The American Cancer Society is grateful for Columbia Distributing & their partners for giving passionately to the PNW community,” said Amanda Torfi, the non-profit’s North Region Senior Executive Director. “We’re proud to partner with Columbia Distributing year-round, from their commitment to their employees wellness to helping us increase access to care in rural communities, together we are helping to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”

Columbia President and CEO Chris Steffanci told the crowd that this is one of his most favorite days of the year. “We get to honor my friend Scott by doing two things he really loved – golfing and giving back. I’m grateful for our supplier partners who return year-after-year and give so generously. Impacting our communities is at the heart of everything we do at Columbia.”

Steffanci surprised tournament players with the announcement of a new brew in memory of DeMartine. Crafted by long-time partner Georgetown Brewing Company, DEMAR India Pale Ale is now available on draft at participating Washington and Oregon on-premise locations. All proceeds from sales of DEMAR will benefit RMHC. 

“This beer was inspired by Scott’s childhood buddies — they reached out to me and said, ‘You need to make a DeMar beer!’,” said Manny Chao, Co-Founder of Georgetown. “They were right. We’re honored to brew it and now we can all raise a pint of DEMAR to toast and remember our dear friend. Miss you buddy.”

About Columbia Distributing

Since 1935, Columbia Distributing has helped build some of the best-known brands in the beverage business. Today Columbia Distributing and its 2,800 teammates service over 24,000 retail customers covering more than 135,000 square miles in Oregon and Washington. We operate eight warehouses in Washington, located in the cities of Kent, Everett, Poulsbo, Tumwater, Spokane, Kennewick, Yakima and Vancouver. Oregon is composed of seven warehouses, located in the cities of Canby, Springfield, Medford, Bend, Pendleton, La Grande and Ontario. Columbia’s success is based on the deep-rooted tradition of delivering quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for customers’ needs. This is achieved by providing ongoing, sustainable opportunities and growth for its teammates, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities. For more information on Columbia Distributing, including employment opportunities, please visit www.coldist.com.