ABOUT THE DEFENDER SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTED BY CHASE
Nonprofit organizations are vital in making a difference where it matters most, in their communities through countless acts of service. For decades, Land Rover has created vehicles known worldwide for taking service workers on missions to help others. Last year, we launched the Defender Service Awards to recognize seven nonprofits for their accomplishments. Land Rover was so inspired by our winning organizations that we're back for a second year. We awarded five customized Defender 130 models to five U.S. and Canada nonprofits that support their communities every day. Each winner received a $25,000 USD cash prize, and each finalist was given $5,000 USD to aid in their services.
"After a successful introduction of the first ‘Defender Service Awards’ in 2021, we are honored to continue the legacy of recognizing organizations that make a difference in their communities. This year, along with our presenting sponsor CHASE and five category sponsors, we will be able to reward non-profits with customized Defender 130 vehicles and monetary donations to help further their causes."
Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO,
Jaguar Land Rover North America
THE WINNERS
Congratulations to the 2022 Defender Service Awards winners. See our winners below and click to learn more about the work they do.
COASTAL & MARINE CONSERVATION
Congratulations to New York Marine Rescue Center on winning the new Defender in the Coastal & Marine Conservation category. They provide sustainable response efforts for marine mammal and sea turtle strandings throughout New York, protect endangered and threatened species, and encourage conservation and stewardship of marine environments. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
SEARCH & RESCUE
Congratulations to Wolfe County Search & Rescue on winning the new Defender in the Search & Rescue category. They are an all-volunteer group serving Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Region completing missions ranging from finding and evacuating lost hikers and injured climbers, to high-angle rope rescue operations. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
FIRST RESPONDERS
Congratulations to Montgomery Emergency Medical Services on winning the new Defender in the First Responders category. They provide volunteer emergency medical care to Montgomery Township, NJ 24/7 at no charge. They are also on standby at fire scenes, sports games, and community events. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Congratulations to Humane Society of Independence County on winning the new Defender in the Animal Welfare category. They rescue and provide shelter for all abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted dogs and cats within Independence County and find secure, loving, stable homes for them. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
FIRE SAFETY & RESPONSE
Congratulations to Navarre Beach Fire Rescue on winning the new Defender in the Fire Safety & Response category. They provide emergency response and lifeguard services on Navarre Beach and aid to all departments in Santa Rosa County, including the military. They also aid in natural disasters relief throughout the state of Florida. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
URBAN IMPROVEMENT
Congratulations to Hamptons Community Outreach on winning the new Defender in the Urban Improvement category. They provide food outreach, youth programs, mental health services, crisis support, and an Emergency Home Repair Fund to families from the East End’s marginalized communities. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Congratulations to One Tree Planted on winning the new Defender in the Environmental category. They aim to make it easier for individuals and businesses to give back to the environment by planting trees, helping reforestation efforts worldwide and creating a healthier climate. Watch the winning submission and please visit the websites of all our winners to support their causes.
MEET TWO OF THE 2021 DEFENDER SERVICE AWARD WINNERS
COASTAL AND MARINE CONSERVATION
When someone finds a sick or hurt seal, sea turtle, dolphin, or other marine creature, the New York Marine Rescue Center (the only one in New York State) answers the call. The center has rescued more than 3,900 animals since it opened in 1996; after saving an animal, the team of biologists helps rehabilitate it so it can return to the wild. Public education and animal research are also big parts of this nonprofit’s mission. The Rescue Center uses its new Defender to access remote sites for animal rescues and transport staff and gear to events like beach cleanups and school programs. “We’re able to bring it out onto the beaches, which gets us to more remote locations,” says Director Danielle Pirello. “It makes the response time much quicker.”
SEARCH AND RESCUE
The highly skilled volunteers who make up Wolfe County Search & Rescue respond to lost-person incidents and rock-climbing accidents in the beautiful and rugged Red River Gorge region, a service area of more than 400 square miles. They have the know-how to pull off technical, high-angle rope rescues on the gorge’s vertical walls, often working in difficult weather conditions to keep visitors safe—such as during the historic flooding of 2021. The SAR team relies on its new Defender to handle the area’s rough, rutted, and often wet access roads so they can respond quickly to the next emergency.