DEFENDER ANNOUNCES THE FINALISTS OF THE ‘DEFENDER SERVICE AWARDS’ PRESENTED BY CHASE

Mahwah, NJ – September 16, 2024: Today, the British adventure brand, Defender is proud to announce the five finalists for each category in its fourth annual ‘Defender Services Awards’ presented by CHASE. Each of the 25 U.S. non‑profit and Canadian registered charities across five categories reflect the Defender brand’s enduring commitment to bringing positive impact to communities through acts of service and humanitarian efforts around the world.   

Public voting, which will take place from October 2nd, 2024, through October 17th, 2024, will ultimately decide the winning organizations for each category. The winning organizations will each receive a new Defender 130 vehicle that will be fully customized to best address their needs, and awarded $25,000 by their category sponsor, empowering them to further their missions. 

Built for purpose. The Defender 130 is equipped with three rows of seating for up to eight volunteers and ample space with 88.9 cubic feet (2,516 liters) of load capacity to enhance each charities’ efforts. The winning organization will be able to customize their vehicle with robust Defender accessories that will meet the challenges of their mission, along with a custom exterior vehicle wrap. 

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. A new premier partner, S&P Global has joined as a sponsor of the awards program. 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.

A sixth category, Defender Service Honorees, is designed for past 2021‑2023 finalists who have been given a second chance to win a custom Defender 130 vehicle. These worthy organizations did not win their category, however their continued support of their communities and need for a capable vehicle warrants a second chance.

Public voting will take place from October 2^nd, 2024, through October 17^th, 2024, to determine the ultimate winners of the six categories of the 2024 Defender Service Awards. To view the finalist videos and vote, please visit Defender Service Awards at https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/defender‑service‑awards/index.html  

The finalists across five categories are:  

Veteran and Civil Servant Outreach Award Presented by Hearts & Science

• Heroes Hope ‑ Tulsa, OK
• Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs ‑ Williston, FL
• Northwest Battle Buddies ‑ Battle Ground, WA
• Team Red, White & Blue ‑ Floyds Knobs, IN
• The Station Foundation ‑ Bozeman, MT

Community Services Award Presented by ei³

• Borderlands Restoration Network ‑ Patagonia, AZ
• Nathaniel’s Hope ‑ Orlando, FL
• No Child Hungry ‑ Orlando, FL
• Plastic Ocean Project ‑ Wilmington, NC
• San Diego Habitat Conservancy ‑ San Diego, CA

Search, Rescue and Emergency Support Services Award Presented by PELICAN

• Eurêka Recherche et Sauvetage ‑ St‑Etienne‑des‑Grès, QC
• Inyo County Search & Rescue ‑ Bishop, CA
• Kittitas County Search & Rescue ‑ Ellensburg, WA
• Linville‑Central Rescue Squad, Inc. ‑ Newland, NC
• Thurston County Unit Washington Explorer Search & Rescue ‑ Lacey, WA

Outdoor Accessibility and Education Awards Presented by OUTSIDE Interactive Inc.

• Adventures Without Limits ‑ Forest Grove, OR
• Bionic Project Inc. ‑ Cambridge, MA
• High Fives Foundation ‑ Truckee, CA
• Higher Ground ‑ Ketchum, ID
• Pine River Institute ‑ Toronto, ON

Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award Presented by Disney

• Hickory Haven Fawn Rescue‑ Belton, SC
• Lending Paws A Hand‑ Sanford, NC
• Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles‑ San Pedro, CA
• SICSA Pet Adoption & Wellness Center‑ Washington Township, OH
• Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary‑ Cochrane, AB

The winning organization from each of the six categories will be announced at this year’s Destination Defender event. Encouraging participants to embrace the impossible, the weekend celebration will take place from November 22‑24, 2024, at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California, and will feature Defender experiences that channel the adventurous spirit of the brand. A special evening celebration on November 23^rd will be held to announce the six winning organizations. 

The Defender family of models, 90, 110, 130, continues to expand and evolve to suit the many uses by their owners. Defender OCTA, the new high‑performance hero will be available in North America for the 2025 model year. Featuring a V8 Twin Turbo, producing 636hp, 6D Dynamics Air Suspension, and active exhaust system, Defender OCTA will offer an unparalleled breadth of capability, comfort and composure, whether on‑road or off‑road.  New for 2025 model year, optional second‑row Captain Chairs are available in the Defender 130 to provide comfort and luxury with aisle access to the spacious third row. 

To learn more about the 2024 Defender Service Awards, please visit https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/defender‑service‑awards/index.html  

1. ABBREVIATED RULES. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Begins on June 17, 2024, to Oct 17, 2024. TO ENTER MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER IN THE 50 UNITED STATES AND D.C., PUERTO RICO, OR CANADA, 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.landrover.ca/en/experiences/sponsorship/defender‑service‑awards/index.html[AW1]  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.