Public voting for the fourth annual Defender Service Awards, presented by CHASE, is now underway and will run until October 17. This year, Outside is partnering with Defender, serving as the sponsor for the Outdoor Accessibility and Education category. The winning nonprofit in this category will receive a $25,000 grant and a customized Defender 130 vehicle.
The Defender Service Awards honor nonprofits and charitable organizations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada that embody the adventurous spirit of the Defender brand. Winners will be selected through public voting among finalists across six categories:
- Veteran and Civil Servant Outreach Award — Presented by Hearts & Science
- Community Services Award — Presented by ei3
- Search, Rescue, and Emergency Support Services Award — Presented by PELICAN
- Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award — Presented by OUTSIDE Interactive Inc.
- Animal, Wildlife, and Marine Mammal Welfare Award — Presented by Disney
- The Defender Service Honorees — Recognizing past finalists from 2021, 2022, and 2023 for another chance to win a custom Defender 130 vehicle
In collaboration with Outside, four other corporate partners are supporting this initiative, ensuring that each finalist receives additional resources. As the presenting sponsor, CHASE will contribute $5,000 to each of the 30 finalists, totaling $150,000 in donations across the categories. Each category winner will also receive a $25,000 grant from its respective sponsor.
The winners will be awarded a fully customized Defender 130 vehicle, featuring three rows of seating for up to eight people and 88.9 cubic feet (2,516 liters) of load capacity. The Defender 130 will be tailored with Defender accessories and a custom exterior wrap to meet the needs of the winning organizations.
Sam Allen, Defender U.S. brand director, remarked, “The Defender Service Awards return for a fourth consecutive year to celebrate organizations dedicated to making a difference in their communities. We are continually inspired by the incredible work happening across North America and are honored to support these organizations with financial resources and customized vehicles.”
Voting is now open on Landroverusa.com and Landrover.ca, where the finalists’ video submissions are available for public viewing. Winners will be announced by December 1, 2024.
Robin Thurston, CEO & Founder of OUTSIDE Interactive Inc., expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: “Advocating for a more accessible and inclusive outdoors is at the core of everything we do. We are thrilled to sponsor this year’s Outdoor Accessibility and Education category and support the winning organization in expanding their impact.”
Last year’s winners included the Squamish Search and Rescue Society, Honour House Society, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, Kairos Adventures, and Youth Sports Alliance, each receiving a Defender 130 to enhance their community efforts. Since the awards’ inception in 2021, $700,000 in monetary contributions and 18 Defender models have been awarded to organizations across North America.
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