Veterans Outreach Center Selected as Finalist in Land Rover’s Defender Service Awards
Community votes decide who receives $30,000 and a brand-new, customized Defender 130
ROCHESTER, NY – Veterans Outreach Center has been selected as one of 30 finalists across North America as part of Land Rover's Defender Service Awards, presented by Chase. A community voting period begins July 29 and closes August 14 to select one winner from each of six categories. The winner of each category will receive $30,000 and a brand-new, customized Defender 130.
VOC will receive $5,000 for being selected as a finalist, bringing the total, if they win, to $35,000 in support of their mission.
Community members can vote here beginning July 29: https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/index.html
Laura Heltz, VOC Executive Director and U.S. Army veteran said: “Our current agency vehicle has more than 130,000 miles and can no longer keep pace with the growing needs of the veterans we serve. A Defender 130 would allow us to safely transport more veterans to outdoor programs, outreach events, peer support activities, and healing experiences. It would allow us to more efficiently conduct home checks on veterans who may be in crisis, even on snowy winter roads, and deliver more holiday meals for veterans. A Defender 130 would help us reach further, carry more, and make sure no veteran is left behind."
Community members can vote once per day during the voting period. Votes are tracked by unique email addresses, so those with additional email addresses can vote multiple times per day.
The Defender Service Awards winners will be announced at the Destination Defender event the weekend of September 11 in Temecula, California.
VOC is in the "Veteran & Civil Servant Outreach Award" category. The finalists for this category are:
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Got Your Six Support Dogs – Maryville, IL
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Operation Patriots FOB – Ridgeland, SC
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Fox Bravo Overland – Cedar Park, TX
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Oklahoma Veterans United – Tulsa, OK
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Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. – Rochester, NY
Founded in 1973 by returning Vietnam veterans, Veterans Outreach Center is the nation’s oldest community-based non-profit dedicated to serving veterans and their families. VOC provides a comprehensive portfolio of free resources designed to build veteran success, including workforce development, residential services, legal support, wellness programs, and more. Our mission is to serve veterans with compassion and advocate for all who have worn our nation’s uniform so they can RISE and live life to the fullest. For more information, visit www.vocroc.org or call 585.546.1081.