From Land Rover:
Mahwah, NJ – Thursday September 18, 2025: DEFENDER, the original British adventure brand, is recognized across the globe for inspiring humanitarian action, conservation and adventure. The Defender Service Awards, Presented by Chase, honors nonprofit and charitable organizations who embody the spirit of Defender and is proud to announce this year’s category finalists. Exemplifying the Defender brand’s ongoing commitment to driving meaningful change through service and humanitarian efforts, these 25 nonprofit and charitable organizations across the US and Canada are making a significant impact to aid and serve those in need.
“As we celebrate five years of the Defender Service Awards, we continue to be inspired by the missions and people of nonprofit and charitable organizations across North America. Their unwavering dedication to service reflects the spirit of the Defender brand and our commitment to supporting those who drive real change in their communities.”
The finalists across five categories are:
Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award – Presented by Disney
HIT Living Foundation – Toluca Lake, CA
Marine Mammals of Maine – Brunswick, ME
The Gentle Barn – Santa Clarita, CA
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society – Vancouver, BC
Community Services Award – Presented by ei3
Feeding Northeast Florida – Jacksonville, FL
Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula – Pacific Grove, CA
Meta House, Inc. – Milwaukee, WI
Red Feather Development Group – Flagstaff, AZ
The Food Brigade – Paramus, NJ
Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services Award – Presented by Pelican
Amwell Valley Ambulance Corps – Ringoes, NJ
Boulder Emergency Squad – Boulder, CO
Chilliwack Search & Rescue – Chilliwack, BC
Pemberton Search & Rescue – Pemberton, BC
Sunshine Coast Search & Rescue – Sechelt, BC
Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach Award – Presented by Hearts & Science
Combat Recovery Foundation – Loveland, CO
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans – St. Paul, MN
Project Sanctuary – Pagosa Springs, CO
Shelter to Soldier – San Diego, CA
Outdoor Accessibility & Education Award – Presented by Outside Interactive Inc.
Adaptive Adventures – Westminster, CO
Catalyst Sports Inc. – Atlanta, GA
City Kids Wilderness Project, Inc. – Washington, DC
North Carolina Adapted Sports – Cary, NC
Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada – Dorval, QC
A sixth category, Defender Service Honorees, recognizes past finalists from 2021 to 2024 and gives them another opportunity to win a custom Defender 130 vehicle and award funding. While these organizations did not win in their original categories, their ongoing impact and continued need for a capable vehicle make them strong candidates for a second chance at winning.
Category winners will be determined by a public vote, open from October 3 ‑ 19, 2025. To learn more about The Defender Service Awards, watch the finalists’ videos and cast your vote, please visit https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/defender‑service‑awards/index.html
Each winner will receive a customized Defender 130 vehicle tailored to their needs, along with a $30,000 award to help advance their mission. The purpose‑built Defender 130 vehicle will aid the winning organizations with its off‑road capability and go‑anywhere spirit, including features such as Terrain Response, 8,200 lbs of towing capacity (1), 89 cubic feet of cargo space, seating for up to 8, wading depth of 35.4 inches (2) and 11.5 inches of ground clearance to traverse the most challenging terrain.
Winners of the 2025 Defender Service Awards will be announced the evening of November 15, during a special evening celebration at Destination Defender. Held at Galway Downs in Temecula California, November 14‑16, 2025, Destination Defender is a weekend festival of the Defender lifestyle. Owners and enthusiasts can participate in the Defender Drive Experience, where they will test their off‑roading skills on a challenging trail excursion. The weekend also features multiple stages of live music, culinary experiences, wellness activities and more. Camping and glamping options are available for those who prefer sleeping under the stars. To learn more about Destination Defender, please visit: https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/destination‑defender.html
For information on the Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE, visit https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events‑and‑sponsorships/defender‑service‑awards/index.html
ENDS
1 Never tow beyond a vehicle’s permissible towing capacity. Before towing, please consult the owner’s manual or your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for more details.
2 The Wade Sensing feature only detects depth of water the vehicle is in at the present time and not of water ahead or around vehicle. Driver is responsible for determining the conditions of the route being driven.
