2013 Jeep Jam is COMING!!

2013 ODZ Jeep Jam

Saturday October 12th, 2013

This year marks the 8th consecutive ODZ Jeep Jam and everyone from the O’Daniel Automotive stores is excited as the time swiftly approaches.  Having begun as a challenge by Chrysler to see which dealership could collect the most cell phones as a means to earn a donation for the organization of their choice, Jeep Jam was born!  The cell phone contest arrived after Craig W Ruskaup had recently been promoted to Sales manager.

Eager and driven to win the contest, Craig successfully motivated the O’Daniel team in collecting enough phones to secure the win and allow O’Daniel to choose the DAV of Allen County as its beneficiary.  With that year as the catalyst, each year since Craig has been working tirelessly in an effort to surpass the proceeds of each year before.  Jeep Jam has become so successful….every year attracting people from further and further away who partake in the event.

Receiving numerous requests to help with the event, we are now assigning duties to oversee the wide range of activities.  Most generously, the Kessie family Clan supports disabled Vets providing an incredible Jeep playground on their private land.  Volunteers Tom and Bonnie Davis are unrelenting in their work to obtain all the food and many silent auction donations, even cooking a fabulous breakfast at the Kessie Jeep Farm for the off road event. Starbucks is there to get us going in the morning and A Party Apart aids with a good discount on the activities provided for the children.

The Red Cross blood mobile shows up and collects blood donations conveniently helping to save lives!  Jeep Jam brings a rock wall, a band for music, T shirts, Ditch rides and the Jeep Girls with refreshments.  All O’Daniel Employees willingly assist in support of a great cause, along with the generosity of the O’Daniel Family.

In case you are wondering about DAV specifics, let me say a few things about what they do:

When a disabled veteran needs help with filing for benefits, transportation or any assistance until their claims pass the governments’ approval desk in deciding how much disability the Veteran will receive, DAV goes to bat in support of the Veteran.   This is not a government funded organization.  A VA hospital employee personally reinforced just how much DAV helps the veterans and how deeply valued the organization becomes…..even in something as simple as providing transportation to and from the VA as it is often a hardship on some veterans.  Jeep Jam donations make life easier for the men and women that gave their time and service to our country to protect you and me!  Please come and give whatever you can for the disabled veterans and enjoy a fun family day as we are reminded  how we appreciate the many sacrifices the Veterans have made on our behalf.

Craig W Ruskaup, (Chrysler-Jeep Dodge Ram Sales Manager) said, “We are proud of this event. It is the largest in Indiana.  We raise more money in one day for Disabled Veterans than anyone in the state.”