Honoring Community Heroes at the 2025 Defender Service Awards

This year’s Defender Service Awards spotlighted nonprofits that strengthen communities across the United States and Canada. As sponsor of the Community Service Award, ei³ helped honor Feeding Northeast Florida for their leadership in combating food insecurity, awarding a customized Defender 130 and $30,000 to support their mission.

Held at Destination Defender in Temecula, California, the ceremony brought together winners spanning emergency rescue teams, children’s foundations, accessibility advocates, and more. Each organization represented service, resilience, and compassion in action.

ei³'s commitment to community service

This year’s Community Service Award winner, Feeding Northeast Florida, is the largest food bank in the region. They serve 12 counties by rescuing food from retailers, manufacturers, and local farms. Through more than 400 programs and partner organizations, they reach over 97,000 neighbors every day.

Their work illustrates why this category matters. Targeted support and coordinated community efforts can change lives at scale.

Celebrating all the 2025 category winners

This year’s honorees reflect the diverse and powerful ways nonprofits serve their communities:

1. Animal, Wildlife and Marine Welfare Award, Presented by Disney
   Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society – Vancouver, BC
   
   
2. Veteran and Civil Servant Outreach Award, Presented by Hearts & Science
   Jason's Box – Paris, KY
   
   
3. Community Service Award, Presented by ei³
   Feeding Northeast Florida – Jacksonville, FL
   
   
4. Search, Rescue and Emergency Support Services Award, Presented by Pelican
   Chilliwack Search & Rescue – Chilliwack, BC
   
   
5. Outdoor Accessibility and Education Award, Presented by Outside Interactive Inc.
   Starlight Children's Foundation Canada – Dorval, QC
   
   Each organization received a customized Defender 130, purpose-built to extend their reach, support volunteers, and help them serve more people. Equipped with mission-specific accessories and exceptional towing and cargo capabilities, these vehicles will amplify their efforts where they matter most. Winners also received $30,000 in funding, while all 30 category finalists were awarded $5,000 in recognition of their outstanding work. Learn more here

Community impact close to home

ei³’s commitment to community impact extends beyond sponsorship of this award. This year, we proudly supported “A Night to Nourish,” an event benefiting the Community Food Pantry and championed by our Head of People Operations, Elizabeth Takacs. Led by students of the Suffern High School Nourish Project, the fundraiser generated $40,000—providing 160,000 meals ($1 = 4 meals), with ei³’s sponsorship contributing 2,000 meals.

Initiatives like these, alongside Feeding Northeast Florida’s work, show how focused support and partnership can make a meaningful, lasting difference in our communities.

To all our community heroes: Thank you for the work you do every day. Your dedication inspires us, strengthens our communities, and shows what it truly means to serve.