Public Voting for the 2024 Defender Service Awards Is Underway

October 15, 2024

Outside is partnering with Defender on this year’s Defender Service Awards, and as the sponsor of the Outdoor Accessibility and Education category, Outside will help pick the winner and contribute $25,000 to the winning nonprofit, which will also receive a customized Defender 130 vehicle.

(Boulder, CO) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ — Public voting for the fourth annual Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE, is now open and continues through October 17. Defender, the original British adventure brand, is proudly recognized across the globe for inspiring humanitarian action, conservation, and adventure. The Defender Service Awards recognize U.S., Puerto Rican, and Canadian nonprofits and charitable organizations that exemplify the unstoppable essence of Defender. Winners are chosen by public voting for finalists in the six contest 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 — Past 2021, 2022, and 2023 finalists who are given a second chance to win a custom Defender 130 vehicle

Outside and four other corporate partners have joined this initiative to provide further support for the respective organizations across the different categories. CHASE, as presenting sponsor, will donate $5,000 to each of the five finalists per category, for a total of $150,000 across 30 finalists. Category sponsors include OUTSIDE Interactive Inc., ei³, PELICAN, Hearts & Sciences, and Disney. Each category sponsor will also donate $25,000 to its respective category winner.

Each winning organization will receive a fully customized Defender 130 vehicle to help their work go further. Featuring three rows of seating for up to eight people, along with 88.9 cubic feet (2,516 liters) of load capacity, the Defender 130 is fully capable of assisting these organizations with their mission of service. The winners will collaborate with the Defender team to fully outfit their vehicle with Defender accessories required for their organization’s needs, as well as a custom exterior vehicle wrap.

Sam Allen, Defender U.S. brand director, said: “Defender Service Awards returns for a fourth consecutive year, celebrating organizations dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Year after year, we are inspired by the video submissions and learning about the incredible work taking place across North America. We are honored to provide the winning organizations with financial support and customized Defender 130 vehicles to help further their reach and impact.” 

The finalists’ videos are now posted on Landroverusa.com and Landrover.ca for public voting through October 17. Winners will be announced by December 1, 2024.

“Advocating for a more accessible and inclusive outdoors is at the core of everything we do, and so we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Defender on this great initiative,” said Robin Thurston, CEO & Founder of OUTSIDE Interactive Inc. “We’re proud to sponsor this year’s Outdoor Accessibility and Education category and help the winning organization make even more of an impact in getting everyone outside.”

Last year’s Defender Service Awards winners include Squamish Search and Rescue Society for the Pelican Search and Rescue Award, Honour House Society for the Hearts & Science Veterans Outreach Award, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue for the Animal Planet Animal Welfare Award, Kairos Adventures for the ei³ Community Services Award, and Youth Sports Alliance for the OUTSIDE Interactive Inc. Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award. Each winning organization was awarded with a Defender 130 to further their efforts within their respective communities. Since 2021, $700,000 in monetary awards and 18 Defender models have been provided to organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

For more information on the Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE, please visit LandRoverUSA.com or Landrover.ca.

1. ABBREVIATED RULES. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Begins on June 17, 2024, and ends on October 17, 2024. TO ENTER, MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER IN THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C., PUERTO RICO, OR CANADA; BE AN ELIGIBLE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION; AND HAVE AT LEAST ONE DIRECTOR THAT IS 18 YEARS OR OLDER RESIDING IN THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C., PUERTO RICO, OR CANADA. Contest is void where prohibited by law. Contest subject to the complete Official Rules. Visit www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/index.html or www.landroverca.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/index.html for Official Rules and prize descriptions. Sponsor: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC, 100 Jaguar Land Rover Way, Mahwah, NJ 07495.

2. Information and rules on the Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE can be found here and Canadian rules here.

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