Heaps of Jeeps Raises Over $100K for First Responders

PHOTO COURTESY: KASEY YOCHUM

KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (We Are Knox County) - Despite some weather challenges, the 2025 Heaps of Jeeps festival brought together more than 350 Jeeps from across the country and Canada.

Heaps of Jeeps Board President Kasey Yochum confirmed with WAKC News Now that the nonprofit organization exceeded it's goal of $100,000 and raised $104,626 through this year's event.

The money raised will be returned to the community by supporting local first responders through the organization’s Emergency Aid Fund.

The fund provides financial assistance to first responders facing illness, injury, or family trauma.

The decision to focus on first responders came from the Yochums' deep respect for those who serve others without hesitation.

“We all have families, friends, people we care about—and we can’t be with them every second. But when someone is in need, these individuals rush to them without hesitation,” said Yochum.

“Heaps of Jeeps is our way of saying: now it’s our turn to help you [first responders].”

Yochum says this year’s festival also helped provide vital safety equipment, including Guardian Angel devices for law enforcement and EMA, rapid-response Leatherman tools for EMS, glove straps for firefighters, water rescue kits, ballistic shields for officer protection, and support for a new K9 officer following the sudden loss of a working dog.

Heaps of Jeeps began as a local partnership aimed at bringing visitors to southern Indiana.

In 2020, Kasey and John Yochum took the reins and transformed it into a way to give back to those who give so much to others.

The event takes place on the third weekend of June each year.

Yochum invites anyone who has never attended the event to join them next year.

“This isn’t just a ‘Jeep’ festival, it’s a family-friendly community celebration."

You can follow Heaps of Jeeps on its Facebook page and read more about the event on its website.