News & Events at CDZ
CDZ Sponsors Successful Charity Event
At CDZ’s core, we are a company that cares not only for our clients but our community. The JT Townsend Foundation is so close to our heart that we couldn’t help but be involved in the first annual Champions for Hope Golf tournament. The tournament benefited the JT Townsend Foundation and pancreatic research funding for The Mayo Clinic.
The Champions for Hope Funk-Zitiello Classic came together from friends Tommy Zitiello and Fred Funk. Champions Tour player and 2005 PLAYERS Champion, Fred Funk, and Jacksonville businessman Tommy Zitiello first met in 1993 as next-door neighbors. Tommy established the infamous Funks’ Punks fan club to follow and cheer on Fred while playing on the TOUR.
As the years past, Fred and Tommy saw the incredible spirit in the Funks’ Punks. They knew this crew could channel that spirit into serving those who were struggling in our community. This is when Fred met a young high school senior who was paralyzed from an accident at a football game: JT Townsend.
JT Townsend changed both Fred and Tommy forever. What started as a neighborly effort to help a local Episcopal High School student with a wheel-chair accessible home grew into a lifelong mission to support and aid those dealing with tremendous obstacles. Along with JT, they created a foundation built around aiding the First Coast community who stood by JT’s side during his recovery. Though JT passed away in 2013, the charity’s doors remain open to carry JT’s legacy forward.
So, to continue in supporting the JT Townsend Foundation, Champions for Hope was founded. The tournament weekend included a Friday evening Gala, hosted at TPC Sawgrass. A dinner, silent and live auction and performance by the Chris Thomas Band made for the perfect evening. Over 200 guests attended the Gala, and more than a dozen local celebrities attended over the weekend. The charity gala and golf tournament raised $881,000.
At CDZ, we are so proud to have been a sponsor for such an incredible event. So many families will now benefit from the funds raised at Champions for Hope. Bring a part of making this event happen is a wonderful testament to what CDZ stands for. We love our community!
Read more about the Champions for Hope Golf tournament on the CFH website.
Most recently in the news:
Jax Chamber
Florida Times Union
“Champions for Hope: Ponte Vedra Beach pro golfer, friend create new charity tournament”
2020 Broker of the Year
CDZ Sales, Inc. is truly honored to be recognized by Hormel Deli Solutions as its 2020 National Broker of the Year! This has been a challenging and unprecedented year for everyone across the globe. Our mission at CDZ Sales is to consistently deliver a best in class approach day in and day out to the customers and clients we serve. We are humbled by this award, but know whole heartedly that it is a shared accomplishment by many. Thank you to our HDS team for this tremendous recognition and honor. We look forward to serving you and our customers in 2021 and beyond!
What’s fresh at CDZ Sales?
CDZ recently opened a new office and showroom in Jacksonville, Fl. The new location contains nearly 300 linear feet of gondola along with displays that showcase CDZ clients’ broad range of products. CDZ now offers extensive grocery brokering services across the southeast.
CDZ’s newest “sister” company, Distinct Sales & Marketing is located in Chesapeake VA. Distinct is co-owned and managed by Bryan Bagwell. Bryan was with Dollar Tree at it’s inception, and retired 27 years later as a Senior VP. Primary account responsibility will be centered on Dollar Tree/Deals, but will also include accounts such as Ollie’s and Five Below. Luanne McCarty, a former Dollar Tree buyer, has joined our team bringing with her a wealth of experience on both sides of the desk.