22 Butler County Non-Profit Organizations Receive $27,200 from Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA) is continuing its tradition to support Butler County’s non-profit organizations. Twenty-two groups were selected to receive a financial gift ranging from $500 to $2,200 to help them provide services in Butler County. This is the third consecutive year that FBJA, owners of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, has given back to the community. 

“Part of our organization’s mission is to support charitable contributions to other local non-profit organizations in the community,” said Todd Wagner, president. “Since 2016, we have given $77,200 in gifts to a wide-variety of non-profit groups.  We are proud to make these donations on behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who contribute many hours of their time so the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival can be successful.”

The Association’s board of directions selected these 22 organizations from more than 60 applicants:

·         Associated Artists of Butler County

·         Butler Breast Cancer and Women's Cancer Support Group

·         Butler County American Legion Riders

·         Butler County Symphony Association

·         Butler County Veterans In Need Fund

·         Butler Meals on Wheels, Inc.

·         Community Health Clinic of Butler County

·         Evans City Library

·         Evans City Lions Club 

·         Historic Harmony

·         Life Choices, Inc.

·         Lizzy's Bikes

·         Moraine Preservation Fund

·         NAMI Butler County PA

·         Parents In Toto Autism Resource Center

·         Post 474 American Legion Auxiliary

·         Robin's Home

·         Taz & Penny's Happy Tails Rescue

·         Trail Pittsburgh

·         Zelienople Area Public Library

·         Zelienople Historical Society

·         VA Butler Healthcare (Homeless Veterans Program)

Omix-ADA, the words largest independent Jeep parts manufacturer and a premier Festival sponsor, provided the donation for the VA Butler Healthcare’s Homeless Veterans Program by selling merchandise at its booth during the Festival. The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association also contributed $1,700 to K9s for Warriors, a national organization that trains and provides service dogs for veterans. The funds came from the entry fee for the Festival’s Bantam Proving Grounds Jeep Pull that was introduced in 2018. 

The Association has already provided more than $20,000 to other local organizations that helped execute the 2018 Festival. Over the past three years, $58,000 was paid to organizations for their assistance during the three days of the event.  Those 2018 organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Alliance for Non-Profit Resources; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; Butler County Humane Society; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Compeer Corps; East Coast Four-Wheel Drive Association; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Ohio Valley Jeep Alliance; Rodfathers of Butler; Saxonburg Fire Department, Slippery Rock Fire Department (Butler County); and Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County).

“The Festival already makes a huge impact in Butler County each June, and we are happy that we can make a difference for even more people who live in the birthplace of the Jeep,” said Wagner.

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015.  It is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts more than 2,000 Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.  The 2019 Festival will be held June 7-9.  Those who wish to get involved in the event can email Info@Bantam.org or call 724-256-4050.

Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association to Offer Financial Gifts to Butler County 501C3 Non-Profit Organizations

Application Deadline is September 30th

 BUTLER, PA (August 20, 2018) –2018 marks the third year that the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association, Inc. (FBJA) will award non-profit gifts to Butler County 501c3 organizations. Gifts totaling $50,000 have already been distributed through the program over the last two years. 

“One of the Association’s core values is Charitable Support/Community Involvement,” said Todd Wagner, FBJA president.  “It’s extremely important to our organization to be able to give back to our community through our financial gifts. Over the last two years our gift recipients have been able to help our community in many different ways which is very rewarding to our group.” 

Application Requirements and How To Apply:

·         Butler County 501c3 non-profit organizations must apply online. The online application, available at http://www.bantamjeepfestival.com/financial-gift-application, must be received no later than September 30th at 5 p.m. 

·         In the application, organizations must explain in 500 words or less how they benefit the community and how any potential funds received will be used. 

·         Applicants must provide proof of non-profit 501c3 status.

·         After gifts are awarded, the recipients will be expected to provide an update on their projects’ progress and/or completion and provide photos to demonstrate the gifts’ impact on their organization.

“The FBJA board of directors will evaluate gift applications and award monies based on the organization’s demonstrated need for the gift and how they benefit the community,” said Wagner. “In 2017, gifts ranged from $500 - $2,500.  A gift of $2,200 will be awarded to an organization selected by FBJA’s membership on behalf of Omix-ADA, a premier Festival sponsor who raised funds by selling select merchandise at the 2018 event.”

Festival Already Helping Local Groups

In addition, the Association has already provided more than $20,000 to other  organizations that helped execute the 2018 Festival.

Those organizations include: 377th Engineer Company/Butler Reserve Unit; Alliance for Non-Profit Resources; Butler American Legion Riders; Butler Masonic Lodge #272; Butler Outdoor Club; Butler County Humane Society; CB Rangers; Civil Air Patrol; Compeer Corps; East Coast Four-Wheel Drive Association; Heritage Region Jeep Alliance; Moraine, McConnells Mill and Jennings Commission; Rodfathers of Butler; Slippery Rock Fire Department (Butler County); Slippery Rock Fire Department (Lawrence County); and Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department.

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association was formed in October 2015.  It is comprised of more than 50 volunteers who work together to plan and execute the successful Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival which attracts more than 2,000 Jeeps to Butler County each June to celebrate Butler’s notoriety as the birthplace of the Jeep.

SAVE THE DATE: June 7-9 2019!

Did you miss our event this year? Or maybe you're already counting down until the next Festival!

SAVE THE DATE!

June 7-9, 2019!

Festival FAQ - Addresses, Hours, Etc.

(Above) What the vendor field looks like a week before Bantam! 

We’re so excited for you to be joining us in the Birthplace of the Jeep this week!

We are currently on-site setting up and running the event and will have limited access to return emails, calls, Facebook messages, etc. We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions in hopes that these questions are what you are looking for.  During the Festival, you can visit our Information Booth located inside the Spectator gate, or the Registration tent in the Spectator parking lot for assistance. 

Festival at Coopers Lake Campground

• The Festival takes place at Coopers Lake Campground, 205 Currie Road, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.  The event is rain or shine.
• The Festival hours are 9-4 on Friday June 8th, 9-6 on Saturday June 9 & 9-3 on Sunday June 10. 
• Click here to view the Festival map and schedule.
• Click here to see what Jeep activities are available for on-site registration. 
• If you did not order enough wristbands for all of your passengers, you can purchase them at the Registration tent.  Go directly to the tent as soon as you enter the main entrance.
• Spectators can follow signs to our Admission booths to purchase daily tickets for $10 (adults) and $3 (kids 3-12).
• Any construction, trail or emergency updates will be sent via a text blast system.  You can sign up by texting BANTAM18 to 84483.

Jeep Invasion in Downtown Butler

• The Jeep Invasion (Friday, June 8 from 6-10 p.m.) will take place in downtown Butler, PA 16001. You will not be permitted to park earlier than 5 p.m. All Jeeps must be registered to participate in the Jeep Invasion.
• Click here to view the Jeep Invasion map.
• There are an extremely limited number of spots remaining for on-site registration.  On-site registration is at Coopers Lake Campground starting at 8 a.m. June 8th. 

Coopers Lake Campground
If you reserved a site at Coopers Lake Campground and need to contact them, their number is 724-368-8710.

If we haven’t answered your question above, please check our FAQ’s.  As noted, we will do our best responding to emails/messages/calls if your question is beyond what is listed above but will have little ability to do so in a timely manner during the event, so please visit us at the Info or Registration tents if you need further assistance. 

We’ll see you soon!!