Friends group steers Jeep festival in right direction
The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association has been in existence for just over six months, but it has extensive experience at running the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival.
That’s because the organization, the owners of the festival since November 2015, is comprised of volunteers who have been integrally involved in planning and executing the event since it was started in 2011 by the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau.
Rodney Schaffer, president of the new nonprofit organization, said the association was able to get to work quickly despite getting a late start in planning the 2016 event.
“We have a group of people who are very committed to ensuring the future success of the festival,” said Schaffer. “These volunteers stepped up and spent countless hours establishing this new organization to ensure that the festival was able to continue to be a signature event for Butler County and add more than $1.7 million into Butler County’s economy.”
The festival also has made a commitment to support the area’s no-profit organizations.
“Our bylaws state that at least 10 percent of the festival’s proceeds will be given to Butler County’s nonprofit organizations. We want others to benefit from the festival’s success, and we’re looking forward to helping other groups later this summer,” said Schaffer.
The Friends group is comprised of about 50 people from all over Western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio who meet regularly to plan the festival. Some members travel from several other counties to attend meetings.
“The people who are part of the organization are a great group,” said Schaffer. “They have a love of Jeeps and are proud of how this event has become one of the most recognized Jeep-only events in the country. We’re always looking to grow our organization and urge other Jeep enthusiasts to join us.”
The board of directors of the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association consists of: Schaffer, president; Sara DiBello, vice president; Ellen Roberts, secretary; Wayne Kovac, treasurer; and directors Bill Ringeisen, Charles Pro and Rick DiBello Jr.
