Continuing a legacy of humanitarian work, Defender has announced the finalists of the 2023 Defender Service Awards. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a nonprofit organization offering sports and recreational programs year-round throughout Vermont for people with disabilities, has been selected as a finalist in the Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, Presented by OUTSIDE Interactive Inc.

Defender has always embraced the impossible, opening new horizons for humanitarian work on every continent. In the third annual “Defender Service Awards” presented by CHASE, which embraces the Defender inner spirit of heroism and recognizes those who embody this, the 25 U.S. non-profits and Canadian registered charities are recognized for making a positive impact in their local communities and embodying the ethos of Defender as a beacon of liberty.

“We are honored to be a finalist with the five other nonprofits in our category for this prestigious award,” said Erin Fernandez, executive director at Vermont Adaptive. “Our goal is to ensure we can get as many people as we can into the outdoors to play and recreate. Some of those locations are remote here in Vermont. Adding a Land Rover Defender to our fleet of vehicles will allow us to tow our adaptive equipment into underserved, rural communities, offering the opportunity for everyBODY to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you to Defender, CHASE, and OUTSIDE Interactive Inc. for making these opportunities possible.”

Capability to navigate further, capacity to transport more people and the spirit to achieve more are what is in store for the ultimate winners of the Defender Service Awards. The six winning organizations will each receive a fully customized Defender 130 and awarded $25,000 by their category sponsor, empowering them to further their respective missions.

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 will empower these organizations on their mission of service. The winners will collaborate with the Defender team to fully outfit their vehicle with robust Defender accessories, required to meet the challenges of the organization’s mission, along with a custom exterior vehicle wrap.

Public voting will take place from Friday, Sept. 15, through Wednesday, Oct. 4, to determine the ultimate winners of the six categories of the 2023 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

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. As a Premier Sponsor, Warner Bros. Discovery will contribute $75,000, awarding $2,500 to each of the category finalists. Category sponsors include OUTSIDE Interactive Inc., ei3, PELICAN, Hearts & Sciences and ANIMAL PLANET and will donate $25,000 to the ultimate winners.

“Through their compassionate acts of service and integrity, it is with great honor that we recognize these organizations that embody the heroism of Defender,” said Charlotte Blank, US chief marketing officer, Jaguar Land Rover North America. “The Defender ethos is centered around achieving the impossible with a focus on giving back, and these organizations are nothing short of that. We are proud to celebrate their extraordinary achievements and dedication to their missions.”

The winning organization from each category will be announced at this year’s Defender Service Awards at Destination Defender, presented by CHASE. Encouraging participants to embrace the impossible, the weekend celebration will take place from Nov. 10-12 at Iron Horse Ranch in Somerville, Texas and will feature Defender experiences that channel the adventurous spirit of the brand.

To learn more about the 2023 Defender Service Awards and to vote for Vermont Adaptive, please click here.

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