By SEMA Editors
 Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge will present its $150,000 donation split between three separate causes in the Offroad Success Center at the 2013 SEMA Show. | |
Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge has announced that it will donate a total of $150,000 at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 5–8, as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. The $150,000 donation will be split equally among three separate causes in the fields of health care, public land use and automotive aftermarket advocacy, with individual presentations held November 5, 6 and 7 in the Offroad Success Center in the Upper South Hall Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Tuesday, November 5, 4:00 p.m.
The first $50,000 donation from Omix-ADA will be given to one of four national health organizations promoting health awareness for common issues, including the Breast Cancer Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The recipient of this year’s $50,000 donation is the organization that receives the most consumer votes from a year-long mail-in rebate program for Omix-ADA/Rugged Ridge customers.
Wednesday, November 6, 5:30 p.m.
The second $50,000 donation will be presented to create the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program—a program providing non-profit organizations grants to keep public land open and advance the off-road hobby.
“Whether we’re serving an organization that needs money to fight land-use battles within a state, or providing a grant to a well-organized Jeep club that wants to clean up a trail, the Rugged Ridge Trail Access Program was established to help off-set their expenses,” said Henk Van Dongen, director of marketing at Omix-ADA. “This program is designed to support off-road enthusiasts interested in preserving their rights within the hobby as well as preserving and maintaining the outdoor areas they’re accessing.”
Thursday, November 7, 4:30 p.m.
The third presentation of $50,000 supports SEMA Cares—a committee established by the SEMA Board of Directors in 2007 aiming to bring the voice and resources of the SEMA community together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Following the Omix-ADA donation, SEMA Cares will distribute $15,000 to three different organizations. The remaining $35,000 will go toward purchasing and building a Jeep for the SEMA Garage-Industry Innovations Center in Diamond Bar, California. This Jeep will be used as a platform for students pursuing continuous education and for on-site technical training purposes.
“We’re really excited to provide support to SEMA Cares,” said Van Dongen. “Because the donation ends up being split further, the money ends up benefitting our industry, advancing education and supporting the off-road hobby as well as giving back to the community all at once.”