Curated Texan
Defender recently honored contemporary heroes by unveiling the recipients of the third annual ‘Defender Service Awards,’ sponsored by CHASE. This celebratory event took place at Destination Defender in Somerville, Texas, showcasing the remarkable efforts of nonprofits in the US and Canada that embody the Defender ethos as a symbol of liberty.
The awarded organizations received a specially customized Defender 130 SUV to enhance their dedication to community improvement. The Defender 130, equipped with three rows of seating for up to eight volunteers and a substantial load capacity of 88.9 cubic feet (2,516 liters), will support these organizations in their service missions, extending Defender’s longstanding legacy of humanitarian initiatives worldwide. Winners have the opportunity to personalize their new vehicles with durable Defender accessories tailored to meet their specific mission challenges, accompanied by a custom exterior vehicle wrap. Additionally, each nonprofit received a $25,000 grant from respective category sponsors.
As a Presenting Partner, CHASE contributed $5,000 to each of the 30 category finalists, with an additional $2,500 awarded by Premier Sponsor Warner Bros. Discovery, resulting in a total of $7,500 for finalists. Defender matched this amount for all second-place finalists, ensuring recognition for their outstanding contributions. The third annual Defender Service Awards distributed a total of $395,000 in prize money to organizations in the US and Canada, empowering them to create positive impacts in their communities.
Charlotte Blank, US Chief Marketing Officer at JLR, expressed congratulations to the winners, commending their embodiment of heroism and altruism, aligning with the Defender brand’s legacy. All participating organizations were acknowledged for their inspirational efforts in the Defender Service Awards.
The following charitable organizations were recognized for exemplifying the Defender spirit across six categories:
Animal, Wildlife, and Marine Mammal Welfare Award (Presented by Animal Planet):
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue Inc (Winnipeg, MB)
Veterans and Civil Servant Outreach Award (Presented by Hearts & Science):
Honour House Society (New Westminster, BC)
Community Service Award (Presented by ei3):
Kairos Adventures Inc (Casselberry, FL)
Search, Rescue, and Emergency Services Award (Presented by Pelican):
Squamish Search and Rescue Society (Squamish, BC)
Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award (Presented by OUTSIDE Interactive Inc):
Youth Sports Alliance (Park City, UT)
Defender Service Awards Honoree Awards:
Charleston Animal Society (North Charleston, SC)
The 2023 Defender Service Awards ceremony, where first-place winners were announced, took place during the lively Destination Defender event. This three-day extravaganza featured various activities, including off-roading courses, live musical performances, heritage displays of the Defender vehicle, fitness challenges, and more, serving as the ultimate expression of Defender.
