The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is continuing its tradition to support Butler County’s non-profit organizations. Twenty-one groups were selected to receive a financial gift ranging from $250 to $2,000 to help them provide services in Butler County. This is the fourth consecutive year that FBJA, owners of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, has given back to the community.
“Our organization has made a commitment to support other local non-profit organizations because we want our volunteers to see that their efforts not only make the Festival successful, but they make a positive impact on our community,” said Todd Wagner, president. “Since 2016, we have given $93,500 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups, and we know that these contributions make a huge difference in providing much needed services throughout Butler County.”
The Association’s board of directions selected these organizations from more than 50 applicants:
· Butler County Humane Society
· Butler AM Rotary Charities
· Butler County American Legion Riders
· Butler County Children's Center
· Butler County Habitat for Humanity
· Butler County Soccer Association
· Butler County Symphony Association
· Butler Downtown
· Butler Golden Tornado Hockey Association
· Butler Little Theatre
· Butler Meals on Wheels, Inc.
· Community Health Clinic of Butler County
· Critical Incident Stress Management Team of Butler County
· EDCO Park Foundation
· Kid's Innovation Playground
· March of Dimes
· Mars Area History and Landmarks Society
· Moraine, McConnells Mill, and Jennings Commission (3MJC)
· Robin's Home, Inc.
· Society of St. Vincent de Paul Butler District Council
· The Arc of Butler County
Omix-ADA, the words largest independent Jeep parts manufacturer and a premier Festival sponsor, provided the donation for Habitat for Humanity by selling merchandise at its booth during the Festival. The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association also donated to Butler County’s Community Care Connections organization. The funds came from a portion of the entry fee for the Festival’s Bantam Proving Grounds Jeep Pull activity.
The Association has already provided more than $23,000 to other local organizations that helped execute the 2019 Festival. Over the past four years, more than $81,000 was paid to non-profit organizations for their assistance during the three days of the event. Those 2019 organizations include: 377 th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler County Symphony Association; Butler Health Clinic; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Community Care Connections; Compeer Corps; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Rodfathers of Butler; and Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County).