Bob Hartle poses in his 1964 Jeep CJ-5 at his home in Butler Township. The recently restored vehicle was displayed at the Jeep History Exhibit at the 2022 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. Butler Eagle file photo

What better day than Giving Tuesday to announce the nonprofit organizations that will receive financial gifts from a benevolent local organization?

“The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association is celebrating Giving Tuesday by continuing its tradition to support Butler County’s nonprofit organizations,” read a news release from the association.

It said 24 groups were selected to receive gifts ranging from $500 to $2,000 to help them provide services in the county.

The association, which owns and organizes the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival and Bantam TrailFest, is gifting county nonprofits for the sixth year.

“Our organization believes very strongly in giving back to the community that supports us and our Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival each year,” said Todd Wagner, association president. “Giving Tuesday is an appropriate day to announce the organizations that will benefit from the generosity of those who attend Bantam.”

Since 2016, the association has provided $272,567 to nonprofits throughout the county, including $140,150 to nonprofits that have applied and $132,417 to organizations that help out with the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.

The organizations selected by the association’s board of directors for the 2022 financial gift program are Associated Artists of Butler County, American Legion Post 474 Auxiliary, BC3 Education Foundation, Blackwood Theatre Organ Society, Breakthrough-Butler Co., Butler Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer support group. Also benefiting are the Butler County Blind Association, Butler County Historical Society, Butler Downtown, Butler Township Volunteer Fire District 3, CB Rangers, Disabled American Veterans, Glade Run Lutheran Services and Harmony Fire District, Herman Volunteer Fire Company. Still other beneficiaries include the Musical Theater Guild, Penn Township Volunteer Fire Department, Petroleum Valley Youth Coalition, Prospect Area Preservation Society, Prospect Borough/Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Department, Scholars Run Conservancy, Slippery Rock Community Library, YWCA Butler and Zelienople Lions Club.

“Every year it’s so rewarding to hear about the amazing things these nonprofits are doing for our friends and neighbors in Butler County, and we are pleased to help them continue their great work,” Wagner said.