How can 2,400 local kids benefit from one new car? Just ask the YSA.

Cross country skiing in Park City with the after school program Youth Sports Alliance (YSA). Photo: YSA // Liz Meyers

PARK CITY. Utah — For the Youth Sports Alliance (YSA), sports is their middle name. That means a lot of competitions, however, they’re currently in a competition, the likes of which they’ve never been in before.

YSA was selected as one of the five finalists for the Land Rover Defender Service Awards in the Outdoor Accessibility and Education category. This recognition signifies YSA’s ongoing mission to promote healthy, screen-free activities for area youth. The winner, determined by popular vote, will receive a custom Land Rover Defender 130 along with a grant of $25,000.

YSA is a 20-year-old youth sports organization that annually introduces more than 2,400 youth to sports and healthy lifestyle activities. YSA provides scholarships to give every kid the chance to participate as well as proper clothing, gear, instruction and transportation. Through these programs, YSA inspires young people to lead active, healthy lives while fostering character development and lifelong values through sports.

Voting for the Land Rover Defender Service Awards will take place between September 15 and October 4. YSA is the only Utah-based nonprofit to be named a finalist this year. By participating in this voting campaign, supporters from across the country can play an integral role in helping YSA win this vehicle and financial award. People can vote daily at www.ysausa.org/vote. 

A substantial portion of YSA’s budget goes to renting private vehicles to transport students to and from venues. Winning the SUV would be a game-changer, enabling YSA to transport up to 1,500 students annually to and from its programs. Additionally, it would free up an estimated $20,000 per year that could be redirected toward scholarships for the neediest students, expanding access to YSA’s active healthy-lifestyle after school programs. The vehicle would also transport essential gear to YSA’s venues. Transportation remains a significant barrier for many working families. The new car would eliminate this barrier allowing more students to participate in YSA’s after school programs.

“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to get kids off their screens, outdoors and active,” Emily Fisher, YSA’s executive director Emily Fisher, said in a statement. Fisher expressed her gratitude for YSA’s selection as a finalist and emphasized the positive impact this award could have on the organization and the youth it serves. “We ask our supporters, partners, and the community to support us during this voting campaign to help us win a Land Rover Defender 130 to help Utah’s children.”

More than 1,000 nonprofits from across North America submitted videos describing their organizations work. Five finalists were selected for each of five service categories. Two of the other finalists are located in Idaho, one is in Tennessee, and the fifth on in Vermont.