The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is continuing its tradition to support Butler County’s non-profit organizations. Twenty-nine groups were selected to receive a financial gift ranging from $500 to $2,000 to help them provide services in Butler County. This is the fifth year that FBJA, owners of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, has given back to the community.
“The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival has a tremendous economic impact in Butler County, and we want the event to make a difference in the daily lives of those who live here too,” said Todd Wagner, president. “It’s important to our organization that our volunteers know their efforts not only support the Festival, but they improve the lives of others here in Butler County.”
FBJA has given $121,200 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups since 2016. In addition, $118,679 has been given to organizations who help execute the Festival. The total amount of support given to Butler County organizations since 2016 is $239,879.
The Association’s board of directions selected these organizations from the 2021 applicants:
American Legion Riders Lyndora Post #778
Associated Artist of Butler County
Butler AM Rotary Charities
Butler Breast Cancer and Women Cancer Support Group
Butler County Family YMCA
Butler County Soccer Association
Butler County Symphony Association
Butler Downtown Association
Butler Little Theatre
Center Township Athletic Association
Center Township Friends of Scouting
CISM Team of Butler County
Community Action Network for Drug-free Lifestyle Empowerment, Inc.)
Ellen O'Brien Gaiser Center
Evans City Lions Club
Evans City Public Library
Fishing For Memories, Inc.
Friends of Preston Park Foundation
Grapevine Center, Inc.
Harrisville Vol. Fire Co.
Hero’s Angels
Jean B. Purvis Community Health Center
Northwest Pennsylvania Steam Engine and Old Equipment Assoc., Inc.
Prospect Volunteer Fire Department
SVDP Butler Inc.
The Arc of Butler County
The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc.: The Kids' Weekend Backpack Program
Wreaths Across America Butler
Zelienople Historical Society
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015. It is comprised of more than 60 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts nearly 3,000 registered Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep. The 11th annual Festival will be held June 10-12, 2022. Those who wish to get involved in the event can email Info@Bantam.org or call 724-256-4050.