The interior of the spruce tip green 1964 Jeep CJ-5 belonging to Bob Hartle is pictured at his home in Butler Township. The recently restored vehicle was on display in the Jeep History Exhibit at the 2022 Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. Butler Eagle File Photo

The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association sets aside money after each summer’s Jeep festival to give to Butler County nonprofits at the end of each year. This December the association gave about $20,000 to 11 agencies.

Patti Jo Lambert, director of the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, said applications were due Oct. 31, and only required applicants to be certified nonprofits located in Butler County.

“It is part of the bylaws that we set aside proceeds each year that we donate to nonprofits,” Lambert said. “Any Butler County organization can apply. Based on the applications, the board chooses the ones to give to.”

A news release from the association said financial gifts, now in their seventh year, ranged from $500 to $10,000.

The nonprofits include the BC3 Education Foundation; Butler AM Rotary Charities; Butler Little Theatre; CB Rangers; CISM Team of Butler County; Evans City Historical Society; Friends of Saxonburg Museum; Knights of Columbus Council 866 Butler, PA; MHY Family Services; Robin's Home; and Toastmasters.

Lambert said the dollar amount the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association gives each year is a percentage of the amount generated by the festival. That amount varies from year to year, she said, but this year is on the higher end of financial donations from the association.

“This is one of the higher years,” she said. “We gave $18,000 last year in 2022, and $27,000 in 2021. That was our 10th anniversary year, that was a big one.”